When Ye Fast: Shield of Faith. How is your faith today? It takes faith to fast. There has to be a reason for you to go without food, or go without certain foods, maybe even social media. Sometimes people find it much more difficult to go without Facebook for a full day than to fast three meals in a row! Today we are looking at the shield of faith. You can read all the other posts here, here, here and here.
We fast because of our faith. Learning to trust God, we believe in Him and His ways. We want to be more like Him and draw closer to the God of our salvation.
We also fast to increase our faith. When we are denying ourselves certain things that we love, or even think we can’t live without, we are telling God that He is more important to us than these things. Fasting clears our minds and hearts so there is more room for the things of God and His Word. When we begin to empty our lives of things that get in the way of our spiritual walk and replace them with the spiritual, it can’t help but increase our faith! Fasting strengthens us.
Ephesians 6:16 “…above all, taking the shield of faith with which you will be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked one. ”
The Apostle Paul wrote the letter to the Ephesians from prison. He knew the Roman soldier well and he knew their armor well. The Roman shield, also known as the scutum, had a big metal knob in the middle called a boss. This shield was about three and a half feet tall and approximately three feet wide! They could thwart an attack and protect themselves from the fiery arrows that were being catapulted their way.
When we take up our shield of faith, and allow our faith to be active, then that faith will become our defense to the attacks of the enemy. A sure fire way to increase your faith is through prayer and fasting. Fasting will draw you closer to your God and you will be able to see things you didn’t see before. He will give you wisdom that only comes from spending time with Him; strongholds will be broken and you will be strengthened. But…
We don’t fast to get things.
We don’t fast to manipulate God.
We don’t fast to be seen or look spiritual.
Sometimes, when under attack, then they would close ranks and form a rectangle; their testudo, this was known as a tortoise formation. The soldiers on the outside would make a wall and those in the middle would lift their shields over their heads and keep them from getting pummeled from the air. Working together, they were unstoppable; they were protected and strengthened for the battle!
If your church is participating in a corporate fast, what a blessing! To fast with others who believe and desire to know the Lord better will increase your faith. There is strength in numbers and when an entire church fasts and prays, then you will see a difference; it might even encourage you to fast on a regular basis!
Take up that shield of faith today, know you are protected from the attacks of the enemy. Be encouraged knowing that you have a host of brothers and sisters that are doing the same. Together you can see walls come down!
Do you have your copy of my easy-to-read Fasting Devotional? Don’t let the title fool you! It is a 21 day devotion for ANY FAST. Each day is an example of someone in the Bible who fasted, some for the wrong reason as well, and what we can glean from them. Inside the book, you will also find Daniel Fast recipes! Available at Amazon.com
