Next to salvation, one of the sweetest gifts God gives to us is Christian friends. My circle of sisters in Christ has encouraged and prayed me through so many things I am so grateful for these precious ladies. I pray I have returned the favor well. Paul knew the value of believing friends. Please take a few minutes to read Acts chapter 18.
When Paul left Athens (Ch 17) he traveled to Corinth where he met a Jewish couple named Aquila and Priscilla who shared his profession as tentmakers. They took him in and supported him with work while he continued to preach and teach about Jesus. It was a difficult assignment because the Jews in Corinth rejected his message and were abusive to him. He turned to the Gentiles who were more receptive of his message and him.
The Lord knew his servant was in a tough position and he came to encourage Paul. “One night the Lord spoke to Paul in a vision: ‘Do not be afraid; keep on speaking, do not be silent. For I am with you, and no one is going to attack and harm you, because I have many people in this city” (Acts 18:9-10). What reassurance that must have been for Paul! And what a blessing to know that there were “many people” ready to stand shoulder to shoulder with him.
When Paul wrote about the shield of faith in Ephesians 6:16, he was picturing the Roman’s soldier’s shield which had an important feature for the protection of the whole troop – a loop-and-locking system on the sides that allowed a group of soldiers to form what is known as “The Turtle Formation.” By locking their shields together in front of them they formed a sturdy wall and some raised their locked shields above their heads to protect the whole company from attacks launched over the wall of shields. They essentially built themselves a “safe house” that covered them from all sides. This is the picture Paul painted of the Body of Christ working together in faith against the enemy of our souls.
Someone needs the strength of your faith to encourage their own. Someone needs you to lock in with them and help them hold up their shield. It might even be me. With your shield and mine together, we’re both protected. That is the Body of Christ at its finest. Beloved, who needs you to help hold up their faith today?