Are You Shrinking? By Mayada Naami
“But we do not belong to those who shrink back and are destroyed, but to those who have faith and are saved.“
(Hebrews 10:39, NIV)
When in battle, the army that shrinks back is usually the one defeated. In Hebrews 10:39, the Bible says we do not belong to those who shrink back and are destroyed. The Word of God says we belong to those who have faith and are saved. By faith, as soldiers in Christ, we can stand fearlessly facing our giants. Psalm 3:3 declares, “But You, O Lord, are a shield for me, my glory and the One who lifts up my head.” What does it mean that God is a shield for us? In Ephesians 6:13, Paul describes the shield of faith as a piece of armor that is used as a form of protection. He tells us to take up the shield of faith to extinguish the flaming, fiery darts of the enemy. Paul uses these words to explain the supernatural empowerment that occurs when a believer lifts the shield of faith high and holds it firmly in front of them. It becomes an impenetrable wall against the enemy’s attacks.
“My Lord GOD has opened my ears, and I did not rebel; I did not shrink back.“
(Isaiah 50:5, ISV)
Romans 10:17 says that our faith is increased by hearing the Word of God. We do not shrink back when we are tuned in to His Word. Before Roman soldiers went out to battle, they soaked their shields in water until their shields were completely saturated. They did this to ensure that if they were struck by a flaming arrow, their shield would not catch fire. In Ephesians 5:26, the Word of God is likened to water and when we are Word-saturated or Word-soaked, our shield of faith is like the Roman soldier’s water saturated shield. It will be so heavily covered with the water of God’s Word that it will extinguish the flame of the enemy’s attack as soon as he strikes at us. I encourage you today to soak your faith in the Word of God, so that when the enemy tries to attack your health, your finances, your marriage, or your children, you will not shrink back. Instead, the devil and his army will shrink back and be destroyed in Jesus’ mighty name.
“Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes. For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand. Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place, and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace. In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.“
(Ephesians 6:10-17, NIV)
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