DAY 5 – Shield of Faith

Today, we get to look at the shield of faith. Let’s firstly acknowledge the opening few words… “In all circumstances take up…” In ALL circumstances! Whatever we are facing and however we may be feeling, we need to ‘Analambano’ our faith. This isn’t passive or lazy. There’s no point having shields, but then leaving them lying next to us on the ground. We have to deliberately seize our faith, taking it up and positioning ourselves with it. Jesus asked His disciples, “Where is your faith?” In other words, “Why have you walked into this battle and not brought your shields?” He expects us to use what He’s given us.

The Roman shield was shaped like a door and large enough to cover the whole body from head to shin if held up. It was curved, made of timber and then overlaid with up to seven, glued-down layers of leather. It had metal around the edges and also a metal boss in the middle used to push back the enemy. The leather had to be treated regularly with oil and this speaks to us of the anointing of the Holy Spirit. We need His fresh anointing to keep our faith strong! However, one of the most important points is that before walking into battle, the soldiers would soak their shields in water. This would make them heavier, but the wet leather would be able to extinguish the fiery arrows aimed at them from their opposition! The scripture says that our faith has the power to put out “ALL” the fiery darts the enemy would aim at us. So no matter how many things we might be facing today, this shield that God has given us is the answer for them all.

There is one more amazing point about the Roman shield. It was designed in such a way that it could be interlocked with other shields. They could march forward in formation completely protected with shields locked in front, above and behind them as they continued to take territory. Not only that, but they also had the force and weight of those behind pushing them ahead. Faith doesn’t just protect. It protects in order to allow us to continue advancing.

Let this be a reminder to continue to journey faith together! You can’t be covered in all directions by your shield alone. Only as we walk together, take ground together and cover each other are we truly effective! So let’s all commit again today to TAKE UP our shields, PUT ON our faith and LOCK-IN together in unity to take ground in abundance.