Hi Brian!
The word for this week is "shield". We'll be looking at two portions of Scripture, one from the Old Testament and one from the New Testament.
Psalm 144:1 Blessed be the Lord my strength, which teacheth my hands to war, and my fingers to fight: 2 My goodness, and my fortress; my high tower, and my deliverer; my shield, and he in whom I trust; who subdueth my people under me. KJV
Ephesians 6:16 Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked. KJV
I LOVE the differences here! In Psalm 144 we have the Hebrew word "magen". Strong's Concrdance says: a shield (the small one or buckler), a protector. The Theological Wordbook of the Old Testament says: refers to an object which provides covering and protection to the body during warfare. Refers to the smaller and more common type of round shield carried by light infantry and officers. In Ephesians 6 we have the Greek word "thureos". Strong's Concordance says a large shield (as door-shaped). Vine's Expository Dictionary says: a stone for closing the entrance of a cave, a shield large and oblong, protecting every part of the soldier, used metaphorically of faith, which the believer is to take up in all as affecting the whole of his activities. The Theological Dictionary of the New Testament says: the ancient four-cornered long shield. The long shield comes in various shapes, but the reference is to the rectangular Greek shield which is almost a portable wall, which covers the whole person. The only New Testament use in Ephesians 6 has in view the divinely given reality. Believers have a fellowship with God that hurls back all the attacks of the enemy!
We know from the Word of God (Hebrews 8:6) that we have a NEW and BETTER Covenant! In our recreated spirits we have been made in the image of Almighty God and have the same right to use His Word as Jesus did during His ministry! I LOVE how our intimate fellowship with God, by Holy Spirit Who lives IN us, builds faith in us that we can and do "hurl back all the attacks of the enemy"! The more time that we spend in the Word, prayer, and praise and worship, the more our confidence in this Truth will build and grow until doubts flee and faith rises up big in us so that we overcome every attack of the enemy! I LOVE the WORD of GOD! Here is Hillsong's TAYA with another song from her new album called "Canticle":
Love and Shalom from the Swoveys!
