Shield of Faith

Last week, listening to some Alison Krauss and Union Station bluegrass/country music, I was reminded of this song:

Sometimes I’m battle weary
I forget to use my shield
The arrows pierce my armour
And I stumble in the field

A shield won’t do much good if it’s hangin’ by your side
Keep the shield of faith before you if you want to stay alive

The image of putting on ‘the full armour of God’ is a familiar one. I was taught it as a child; I taught it myself as an adult. The battle of good against evil, God against the devil… the spiritual dimension to life… offense and defence… being able to stand your ground… the weapons of righteousness, truth and peace… the helmet of salvation, the sword of the Spirit…

…including: ‘…take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one.’

I’ll think my life is over
But the Lord He comes to me
He heals my wounded spirit
And He sets me on my feet

A shield won’t do much good if it’s hangin’ by your side
Keep the shield of faith before you if you want to stay alive

This morning I was reading Matthew 26 – the events of the Thursday before Good Friday. Just before Jesus is arrested He goes with his disciples to the garden of Gethsemane and is ‘sorrowful and troubled’. He prays: ‘Father, if it’s possible, take this cup away from me…’ He’s desperate, distraught, in a battle, fighting, praying, wanting a way out.

His disciples are sleeping. He is alone. In His mental and spiritual battle He prays, ‘If it’s not possible to take this cup from me, may your will be done.’ Perhaps at this point he moves from offence to defence. His shield of faith is prominent. He trusts His Father-God. Although it might seem that He will lose this battle He will win the war.   

Sometimes you’re battle weary
But the war’s already won
Keep your head and hold your shield high
‘Til your days of life are done

A shield won’t do much good if it’s hangin’ by your side
Keep the shield of faith before you if you want to stay alive

And me? I know that I have a shield of faith – I’ve had it for many years. Sometimes, perhaps, I’ve temporarily put it down… Sometimes it’s been hanging by my side… but I’ve picked it up again.

And this Alison Karaus song? I identify with ‘battle weary’… This morning, I summon up my strength, pick up my shield of faith again and hold it in front of me to protect me from whatever life throws at me… ‘Til my days of life are done’.