In addition to all, take up the shield of faith with which you will be able to extinguish all the flaming missiles of the evil one. Ephesians 6:16

Ephesians 6:10-19 is a section of scripture I quote each morning as I prepare to pray. One must have the correct weapons to take into prayer. I have no strength or position that would protect me in a spiritual fight, so I had best put on God’s armor to fight.

For the last while when I get to the portion about the shield of faith, I have a picture in my mind of standing alone with a small “thimble size” shield. I always think that is not the shield I want to use! I need one of those Roman soldier-size shields that a warrior could stand behind. The kind that locked into the soldier’s shield beside you. When you are talking about “flaming missiles” a thimble-sized shield just isn’t going to get the job done!

I’ve wondered if my faith is too small. I’ve prayed for Father to increase my faith. This life road is sunny and pleasant but some days it is filled with treacherous life-threatening circumstances and events. Most times we can see the danger ahead, but sometimes we are blind-sided. We don’t have time to call up the faith within us, we only have enough time to throw up that “shield” and hunker down.

In the ninth chapter of Mark, we find the disciples unable to cure a young boy. The father brings him to Christ who asks how long the child has suffered. In his reply, the father says, “if you can do anything, take pity on us.” to which Jesus replies, “If you can! All things are possible to him who believes.”

And here is where I find myself so many times….with the father who says, “I do believe; help my unbelief.”

And in His tender love and mercy, our Christ heals the son.

Faith is pleasing to the Father. We see Abraham and the great heroes exhibit faith over and over. We also see them fail. It is encouraging that even the best of the best had bad days.

So in my walk, I continue to ask Father God to increase my faith. I want the shield I carry to be adequate. Most likely one reason I started keeping journals was to recount God’s goodness and faithfulness in my past. When faith seems to only be a flicker and not a flame, I can take them out and remember God’s goodness and faithfulness. I can be certain He does not change. He continues to be faithful…I can believe Him…I can walk this dirt road in faith.