(NIV) Ephesians 6:16
[16] In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one.
It is with great sadness as I pick up the tools to write with this week. In this past week, this world lost a very great man and carrier of the Gospel of Peace, who in his eulogy was referred to as the “Warrior of Hope”. Craig was a close friend during our days in Wichita, Kansas and we shared many times encouraging one another, praying for others, sharing Christ, and growing. Craig carried the deep hope of the gospel to anyone he met. Last week’s devotional, and this week’s very much reflect the man lost in Craig, as he passed on way too early to join his Savior in heaven. John 14 : 1 – 6 Jesus promises that he has gone to prepare a place for us, so that one day we can be with him in heaven… Craig has realized that day.
Few people wear the armor of God to the extent it was intended to lead a productive life in Christ. Many times we are partially equipped to take on life’s battles, but we forget provisions in our armor that God knew we would need to fight productively. The Shield of Faith is often one of those items we regularly need, but forget to use. The words “Shield of Faith” are also filled with meaning for us to unfold and understand. You see, God chose to use the word Shield because in His wisdom, he knew that life would be coming at us, and that there would be a whole host of circumstances, feelings, situations that Satan would like to bring us down with. The Shield was there to knock these things down from getting through, so that we could continue to stand strong in battle and be a protector of ourselves and those around us.
I loved the scene in the Mel Gibson movie “Brave heart” that showed the commoners all grouped together with their shields in the air deflecting the onslaught of arrows from the huge army that was pounding down on them. Without the shields, they would have gone down quickly, but instead withstood the attack, and as a group continued to win the battle. As the battle raged on, those same shields that protected the soldiers from the attack, became the front line defense for their advancements against the enemy as well. God wants us to both defend and win our battles against what is thrown at us in this life.
Satan’s arrows come from many directions. Arrows like doubt of God’s love, Fear of tomorrow, questions about your future, worries about your job, hopelessness in seeing the condition of the world, and many more shots that would cause you to lose sight of God’s eternal promises. And that is what God’s shield for your spiritual well being is made up with. “FAITH”.
So what is this faith made of that can withstand all of the onslaughts of “fiery darts” that are thrown our way ?
1. Faith must have an object on which to be based….
The faith described here is based on the promises of God. Promises like :
a. “I will never leave you or forsake you”
b. “I go to prepare a place for you….”
c. “In everything by prayer and supplication make your requests be made known unto God, and the peace of God will guard your heart and mind in Christ Jesus.
2. Faith must be based on something worthy of trust…
a. If you have faith in something or someone who is not trustworthy, or if you have faith in principals that cannot hold up, your faith will result in a disappointing end.
b. If you have faith in a God who created you, loves you, and made you holy by his sacrifice, your faith will hold. Your house will stand.
3. Faith is an Action Item ….
a. Faith is something that steps out in trust to take action for change.
- Consider the young boy who offered his lunch in faith, to then watch Jesus Christ feed the 5000 with it.
- The young girl Jesus brought back to life, because the father had faith.
b. Faith doesn’t always see the results immediately.
- Consider the faith of Abraham, who was promised a son, with a wife who was 90 years old..
- Consider Moses who wandered in the wilderness for 40 years before his people were brought to the Promised Land.
So as you go about this week, consider where God would have you place your faith. Where are your deepest concerns…. Lay them out to your loving heavenly Father. He hears you. He loves it when you approach Him with boldness and faith. Trust Him. And then take the time to see his eternal vision for his children.
Craig, my friend, saw that vision. He lived that way in life, until a debilitating situation took him from this life. He now has realized that eternity with Christ is real. Being a child of God is rewarding and forever.
To the family of Craig C. who is left behind… May the God of peace comfort your soul until you are reunited with your loved one… and you will be..
In memory of Craig… Thank you for being a friend to people and sharing God’s love so tirelessly through your adult life. Thank for your friendship when we lived in the same town for 12 years. Thank you for the countless people you instilled hope in by your kind ways. You will be missed until we meet again.
His Servant,
Jeff
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