As a child, I remember the days when I would make a shield out
of a pillow and, armed with a cardboard tube from wrapping paper, I would set
off to slay my enemy with great fervour. My brother and I would spend hours playing
swords and pretend to be some great warrior practicing for battle. Over the
course of the battle, one of us would strike the other with great gusto only to
have our sword bend and break, usually over the other’s head. This was not a
problem as we always had tape available to splint the sword back together and
the game would carry on. Over the years, we graduated from pillows and
cardboard tubes to branches and garbage can lids. I can still hear my mother “you
two be careful…it’s always funny until someone loses an eye!”
Neither of us lost an eye but we did learn that if you
wanted to keep from some nasty marks on your arms and torso you always relied
on the shield to protect from the onslaught. This is the symbolism of the
shield when we speak of the Armour of God. The shield is designed to protect
and deflect. When used appropriately the shield could deflect the blow to the
side and the bearer would be safe from the onslaught of blows from arrows,
stones and swords. As the weapons improved, so did the shields so that the
protection would meet or exceed the needs. This is the way it is with the
Shield of protection. The more that is thrown our way, the larger and more
secure the protection. The more we lean on God for our protection, the more we
trust in His ways, the larger we realize His scope of protection. We can also
be assured that the more passionate we become in delivering His message, the
more the enemy is going to take note and the more he will throw our way but His
was is infinitely more powerful than anything the enemy can even dream.
With the shield of faith, the sandals of readiness, the
helmet of salvation, the breastplate of righteousness and the belt of truth all
in place, we are now prepared to push forward with the one piece of kit that is
meant to not only defend but also to fight with; the Sword of the Spirit that is
the Word of God. His word is strong and perfect. His word is to be laid out
before all mankind so that the nation will know the true message; God is King!
This Sunday, we are going to look at the fullness of the Armour of God and how
He is with us whether we understand it or not. Until then, remember to put on
the full armour and go confidently into the world knowing that His protection
is perfect.
Shalom
Pastor Todd
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