In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. Ephesians 6:16
Do you ever feel like there is not just one fiery arrow coming your way, but boatloads of them? If you’ve been a believer very long at all, you have.
I’ve felt that way and am there again.
Not only am I personally being hit with arrows, but every member of my family is also and not just small things, but with serious, potentially life-changing things like debilitating illnesses, caring for aging parents, and financial problems.
Thank God that He gave us something that we can fight with!
He gave us His armor to protect us and to use as offensive weapons.
There were two different types of shields in Biblical times: a small circular one, and a long rectangle one.
The Romans used the rectangle shields to make a “turtle” shell to protect themselves when a barrage of flaming arrows came sailing down from fortified walls. They would soak the leather around the shield in water so that when the arrows came, they would be extinguished.
The smaller shield was used for hand-to-hand combat and could be used offensively and defensively in one-on-one combat.
When the enemy attacks us, it’s personal!
He wants to keep our focus on ourselves and away from God and others. He wants us to be discouraged, disappointed, and doubtful.
But God gives us strength.
In verses 10-15, He gives us a list of defensive weapons, then says “above all”.
Why would He list the shield of faith in the middle and say “above all”? To me, it means that it is the transition from defensive weapons to offensive ones, and is the most important.
Also, we have Living Water–Jesus–permeating our very lives to help us.
Our faith is what gets us through all of the difficult times. It is when our “true colors” come forth.
We may not even realize how strong we are until we are hit with difficulty. It is then when our faith shines and is truly revealed.
If you are being hit with arrows, take heart. God is with you.
–by Pam Rehbein
