I am writing in the wee hours on a Sunday morning. Maybe you are in the middle of a sleepless night and have stumbled across this post of mine. It is no accident that you are here!
I am a writer and photographer, but not much of an artist. The other morning, I felt like I was supposed to draw a person getting up from their knees, with a shield in one hand and a sword in the other. I will not be sharing my feeble attempt, but it will remain in my journal with my notes about it. The words “Rise up!” came to me first, then I put down my pen and journal and read my Bible readings for the day. In Isaiah 21:5, it says, “Arise, you princes, anoint the shield.”. The Jewish Study Bible says, “Get going, princes! Oil the shields!”.
In the armor of God, the shield is representative of faith. In the Biblical days, many shields were made of leather stretched over wooden frames. To anoint, or oil them, meant to care for them in a way that would keep them pliable and strong, able to repel the arrows of the enemy. The surrounding verses call for the “princes” to quit feasting and become watchmen, and to prepare for battle. Once a battle is upon you, there is no time to prepare your shield, it has to be done in advance. If it is dry and cracked, it is not of much value or protection in the battle. How do we “oil” our faith? The main way is by reading the Word of God, the Bible. Just as you wouldn’t successfully run a marathon or compete in a triathlon without training, you would not fare well in war without the properly prepared weapons. Since the enemy, according to the Bible, comes to kill and destroy us, wouldn’t we be wise to heed Isaiah’s words and leave our comfort zones, our feasting on worldly pleasures and indulgences, to instead be alert to the things the Bible warns us about and prepare our faith to withstand the enemy that is coming, indeed has always been here and is sneaking up on those who are not paying attention or spending time getting their weapons ready?
Our weapons are not just to protect ourselves, either. They are to help and protect the helpless, and our fellow soldiers as well. The watchmen on the city walls would sound the alarm and warn others of an impending attack. I am doing that for you right now. Having read this, you cannot say that you haven’t been warned.
Lord Jesus, help us all be prepared. Wake up those who are trapped in all that the world has to offer. Strengthen us for the battle ahead and build our faith through your Word. Don’t let us be deceived and useless in the battle which is raging, please. Help us protect the helpless and innocent by standing between them and the enemy by prayer and with the Sword, the Word of God. Amen.
Isaiah 21:5&6
They set the table, light the lamps, eat and drink – “Get going, princes! Oil the shields!” For this is what Adonai said to me:
“Go, post a watchman to report what he sees!”
Ephesians 6:10-17
The Full Armor of God
Finally, be strong in the Lord and in His mighty power. Put on the full armor of God, so that you can make 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 world’s darkness, and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. Therefore, take up the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you will be able to stand your ground, and having done everything, to stand. Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness arrayed, and with your feet fitted with the readiness of 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. And take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.
John 10:10
The thief comes only in order to steal, kill and destroy; I (Jesus) have come so that they may have life, life in its fullest measure.
