Shielded - Martin Wiles

You have given me your shield of victory. Psalm 18:35 NLT

Never had a game evoked such fear in me.

As a middle schooler, I was weak, shy, and non-athletic. I dreaded physical education class—mainly because of one game: dodgeball.

I was always the last one picked when the team captains made their choices. Skinny, freckled-faced, glasses. Nothing that would make them want me on their team. I made sure I stood behind everyone else when the balls started whizzing by, but eventually I was exposed. That’s when I used my shield.

Getting hit on the torso or below the waist was bearable, but a hit in the head could be tragic. I wore glasses, and Mom had strictly instructed me to guard them with my life. She and Dad could not afford to replace them. As the balls made their way at me, I shielded my head with my arms and hands. 

When I was a teenager, I tortured my two younger brothers with the same game I was tortured with by lining them up on the edge of our open carport and throwing balls at them. They, too, used their arms and hands as shields, but doing so didn’t stop them from cascading from the ledge to the ground below when I hit them.

David was a warrior and familiar with a shield. While he didn’t use one against Goliath, the giant he fought, he did in many battles after that, protecting his nation against its enemies.

Thousands of years later, the apostle Paul would say faith is the believer’s shield.

As my hands shielded me from dodgeball slams, so my faith shields me from the darts of my soul’s enemy. When I believed in and accepted Christ as my Savior, God gave me Christ’s righteousness. Although I take many hits in life, that body armor of righteousness—along with my shield of faith—keeps me from being defeated.

Faith helps move us forward, even when we can’t see the way. Faith prompts us to obey God’s plan, even when it appears illogical. Faith keeps us determined in our walk with the Lord, even when we sometimes want to give up. And faith shields us from persistent and uncontrollable doubt, anger, frustration, anxiety, worry, depression, and fear.

God gives all his children a shield. Take yours, so you can fight life’s battle with a guarantee of success.

Father, I take the shield of faith and march into battle, knowing I will be triumphant.

 

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