Roman Soldiers were very well protected against their enemies, thanks to the various pieces of armor that they wore. However, the next piece that Paul talked about was their shield. It was called a scutum. And it was no small device.
It was very large, slightly curved rectangular and at its center was a large knob called a boss. Some shields were 3 feet and a half feet tall and almost 3 feet wide. Its slight curve deflected attacks without transferring the full force if the assault to the one that was holding the shield. The boss deflected more vicious blows and function in a limited capacity to knock his enemy backward.
When fighting in a group, the soldiers could position their shields to form an enclosure around themselves. This helped protect against the arrows that were launched from the walls of the city during an attack. They were often made of wood and covered in hide. When wet they could extinguish flaming arrows.
(sources: The Shield of Faith - Armor of God > Free Bible Study Guides and What is the shield of faith (Ephesians 6:16)?
Is it no wonder that Paul, in speaking of these pieces of armor and relating them to biblical principals that he would identify the shield with faith? It is a very important piece of equipment that called for the survival of a Roman soldier. And it is that piece of equipment in our Christian walk, that is the means for our own survival when our enemy tries to attack us with his own fiery arrows.
Many years ago, as a young mother going through some tough situations, I did not feel like I had any faith. I didn't really believe God would answer my prayers and so I would call someone that would pray for my needs, and actually depended on their faith to get my answers. At one point I even told them that I was too weak to stand up against what I was going through. But that person pointed me to the scripture in 2 Corthianians 12L9: My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness."
I did have the power to resist (through Christ) the fiery darts that the enemy was throwing at me, I just did not know it at the time. And it was not until after that, I got into the Bible and learned that I needed to put on the armor of God and take up the shield of faith.
When we let our guards down, when we don't have our shield of faith up protecting us, Satan will make us doubt God and he will get our eyes off him to lead us away from him. We will stumble, and fall and our armor at this point is of no use because we have left it laying on the ground not using it as it intended. However, when we realize that we need to once again put it on the enemy has to flee. James 4:7.
If you have doubts that God really won't or can't help you, you need to get into his word. Read about the armor that he provides those that love him. Take up your shield of faith that rightfully belongs to those that have been born again. And then tell the devil to bug off. And he will because he has to.
Thanks for coming by today Friends! Up tomorrow: The Helmet of Salvation. In the meantime have a blessed day and enjoy your weekend.
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