DON’T THROW AWAY YOUR SHIELD OF FAITH
After a season of suffering we are tempted to timidity and cowardice. We fear persecution and pain, so we hide from the fight. We lose a battle, so we retreat from the war. Yet, the Word teaches us not to “throw away” our “confident trust,” which is the boldness of faith.
The phrase “throw away” comes from a Greek verb originally describing cowardly soldiers, who “throw away” their shields, and run away from the battle. It is said that Spartan women would hand shields to their men departing for battle saying, “Either bring this back, or be brought back upon it.” Thus urging their husbands and sons to be bold in battle and in protecting their family and tribe. The captains of armies often urged their soldiers to beat their swords against their shields and shout in preparation for an assault. Thus building up their own confidence, while striking fear in the enemy.
Faithful soldiers do not throw away their shields. Nor do faithful believers cast aside their confident trust. Faithful believers persevere, remembering the great reward that the Captain of our faith brings with Him at His coming.
PRAYER: Dear Father, we believe, help us with our unbelief. Wherever we have shrunk back from the upward calling You have on our lives, help us to again put on the shield of faith to advance. We put our confident trust in You. In Jesus’ name, amen.