September 11 – Take Up the Shield of Faith
Ephesians 6:16 – In all circumstances take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming darts of the evil one.
Scripture Reading – Joshua 1:1-18
Faith can be defined as having a strong belief, or confidence in someone or something, often held without physical proof or absolute evidence. Joshua was a man of great faith. Our scripture reading today is the beginning of his tenure as the leader of the Israelites and commander of the armies after the death of Moses. They are on the verge of receiving the promised land, but it’s not without cause for concern or uneasiness.
The land of Canaan flowed with milk and honey, but the inhabitants were strong. Yet when the spies who scouted the land were afraid, Caleb and Joshua stood firm in their faith. They trusted the promises of God that the land would be delivered to them (Numbers 13-14). In Joshua 1 God tells Joshua three times to be “strong and courageous.” With that, he reminds Joshua of the covenant made with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob (1:6). He urges Joshua to remain faithful to the law of Moses to guide and protect him (1:7). And, he promises that “the LORD your God is with you wherever you go” (1:9, 17).
Franklin Delano Roosevelt said, “Courage is not the absence of fear, but rather the assessment that something else is more important than fear.” This seems appropriate to apply to Joshua’s circumstances – there was still real danger in taking over the land. But the danger is trumped by the promises and character of God, and that assessment is what enabled Joshua to be “strong and courageous.” Dale Ralph Davis says it this way, “Yahweh’s promises are intended not as sedatives but as stimulants.” In other words, the promises of God don’t hinge on easy street and lack of effort for us. Rather, the promises of God should spur us on to the work he’s called us to do, even if it’s challenging or difficult.
That’s what Paul is speaking to in Ephesians 6:16. The enemy, or evil one, wants nothing more than to paralyze us into not doing the will and work of God. The shield of faith helps us extinguish his lies that fear, discouragement, uncertainty, danger, and opposition are greater than our God. Sunday we will sing against these thoughts. Great Are You Lord – we sing of our great God who brings light to the darkness, bringing hope and life. O Praise the Name – we will praise the name of the Lord our God forevermore because his promises are eternal. As A Deer – God alone is our strength and shield. You’ve Already Won – we are reminded that we are fighting a battle He has already won. Joshua knows, and held fast to these truths. He was able to be strong and courageous because he took up his shield of faith in the One who is faithful to keep his promises. Let us do likewise.
Further reading: Genesis 12:1-9, 15:1-21; Ephesians 6:10-20; Philippians 1:6; Hebrews 11:1-40
Reflection Questions:
1. What hinders you from picking up the shield of faith?
2. How might your choices be affected by treating God’s promises as stimulants, not as sedatives?
Prayer: Lord, you are great. You are faithful. You have won the battle over darkness and the evil one. Help me to hold fast to these truths and pick up the shield of faith daily. With you I can be strong and courageous, knowing that no matter what comes my way I will overcome. In the mighty name of Jesus, Amen.
A playlist four morning worship songs can be listened to here.
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