“Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked” (Ephesians 6:16).
The shield is a frequently used symbol in the Old Testament, and its spiritual significance is still as relevant now as it was in Biblical days. The very first reference to shields in Scripture beautifully defines this significance. “Fear not, Abram: I am thy shield, and thy exceeding great reward” (Genesis 15:1). Thus God Himself is the shield for those who trust Him. This primeval shield was also, as in our text above, a “shield of faith,” for the first mention of faith in the Bible is associated with this first mention of shields. “And (Abram) believed [i.e., ‘had faith’] in the LORD; and He counted it to him for righteousness” (Genesis 15:6).
There are numerous other references in the Old Testament Scriptures to God as the spiritual shield for His people, defending them from their spiritual enemies. In Psalm 115, for example, there is a three-fold exhortation to trust in the Lord, each time ending with the strong refrain, “He is their help and their shield” (Psalm 115:9–11). Perhaps one of the most beautiful verses in the Bible is Psalm 84:11: “For the LORD God is a sun and shield: the LORD will give grace and glory: no good thing will He withhold from them that walk uprightly.” This is a wonderful promise to the one who walks with the Lord in the light of His word! A light for the day, protection on the way, grace for every trial, and glory all the while! “Every word of God is pure: He is a shield unto them that put their trust in Him” (Proverbs 30:5).
With so many Old Testament assurances, it is fitting that the only reference to shields in the New Testament is in our text. As we put on the armor of God (Ephesians 6:11,13), we are above all to take our shield of faith by which God protects us from every attack of the wicked one. HMM
