Part Six of Ten: The Shield of Faith

I am 75 years old and although I’m not ready to go be with Jesus yet my mortality has hit me square on lately. I read a story just 15 minutes ago that touched my heart. It was longer than I have room here, but I will try and condense it enough as to not lose any significance or context. Anyway, a man was close to death and asked his daughter to call on the minister to come pray with him. When the minister arrived he saw a chair by the bed and commented that the man must have been expecting him, which the man wasn’t and asked who he was. After the introductions and pleasantries, the man proceeded to tell the minister the reason for the chair.

“I am not really gifted in prayer like most believers but I heard from a brother in the Lord to put a chair across from him and just talk to Jesus because that is all prayer is, talking with Jesus. I talk to Jesus at least a couple hours a day. The minister commended him and told him to continue in the practice. He prayed with the man and returned to his church.

A couple nights later the daughter called the minister again and told him, “Daddy passed away.”

The minister asked her, “Did he die in peace?”

‘Yes he did,” but before she hung up, she shared with him, “Before I left for the store he called me to his bedside, kissed me on the cheek, and told me that he loved me. When I got back, an hour later from the store, he had died. However, a strange thing pastor, apparently just before he died he leaned over and rested his head on the chair beside his bed. What do you make of that?”

Oh dear Jesus, to go like that, wow, in the lap of Jesus. That story touched my heart. Jesus will never leave or forsake us [1]. It is impossible to please God without faith [2]. We have to believe that He is God.

v6 But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him. [Hebrews 11:6 KJV]

The first two words of verse 6 are the most important and crucial. Those two words are “Above all. . .” The dad in this story had grasped that meaning and died in Jesus’s lap. What an awesome way to enter His kingdom. Jesus personally led him into the throne room. That by itself would be reward enough for me, to walk into the throne room with Jesus at my side as my guide, companion, and as my friend.

Oh brothers and sisters, lean on Jesus, talk to Him all the day long [3], follow Him, search out His greatness, and seek His face [4], not just His hands. He is worthy to be praised [5] and he sits on the right hand [6] of the Father [7].

The English word shield translated from the Greek word is thureos, which basically meant that it was wide in width and long in height just like a door. Paul’s point was that we completely cover ourselves just like the soldier completely covered himself with his shield when we go into battle. Our faith will protect us against the enemy just like the shield protected the soldier in battle.

v16 Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked. [Ephesians 6:16 KJV]

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Next week: The Helmet of Salvation
[1] Hebrews 13:5
[2] Hebrews 11:6
[3] 1 Thessalonians 5:17
[4] 2 Chronicles 7:14
[5] 2 Samuel 22:4; Psalms 18:3
[6] When a person of high rank puts someone on his right hand it was the same thing as giving him equal honor with himself.
[7] Ephesian 1:20-23