02/01-02/02: ARMOR BLACKSMITH: FORGING FAITH OVER FEELINGS IN THE SPIRITUAL BLACKSMITH’S SHOP
February 5, 2025

ARMOR BLACKSMITH

FORGING THE SHIELD OF FAITH

10  Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might. 
11  Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.
12  For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places. 
13  Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.
14  Stand therefore, having girded your waist with truth, having put on the breastplate of righteousness, 
15  and having shod your feet with the preparation of the gospel of peace; 
16  above all, taking the shield of faith with which you will be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked one. —Ephesians 6:10 - 16

Now there was no blacksmith to be found throughout all the land of Israel, for the Philistines said, “Lest the Hebrews make swords or spears.” —1 Samuel 13:19

Above all, taking the shield of faith with which you will be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked one. —Ephesians 6:16

- THE WHO – God is our shield

- THE WHAT - Faith

Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen. —Hebrews 11:1

Now faith is the assurance (the confirmation, the title deed) of the things [we] hope for, being the proof of things [we] do not see and the conviction of their reality [faith perceiving as real fact what is not revealed to the senses]. —Hebrews 11:1 (AMPC)

-THE WHY – That you may be able to quench the fiery arrows of the wicked one.

QUENCH DEFINED:
The extinction of any of several physical properties. 
The rapid cooling of a hot metal object, by placing it in a liquid, in order to harden it.

FORGING FAITH OVER FEELINGS IN THE SPIRITUAL BLACKSMITH’S SHOP

11 And Samuel said, “What have you done?” Saul said, “When I saw that the people were scattered from me, and that you did not come within the days appointed, and that the Philistines gathered together at Michmash, 
12  then I said, ‘The Philistines will now come down on me at Gilgal, and I have not made supplication to the Lord.’ Therefore I felt compelled, and offered a burnt offering.”
13  And Samuel said to Saul, “You have done foolishly. You have not kept the commandment of the Lord your God, which He commanded you. For now the Lord would have established your kingdom over Israel forever. —1 Samuel 13:11 - 13

1. My shield of faith is forged when I remember and rehearse the faithfulness of God.

If we are faithless, He remains faithful; He cannot deny Himself. —2 Timothy 2:13

2  For You are the God of my strength; why do You cast me off? Why do I go mourning because of the oppression of the enemy?
3  Oh, send out Your light and Your truth! Let them lead me; let them bring me to Your holy hill and to Your tabernacle.
4  Then I will go to the altar of God, to God my exceeding joy; and on the harp I will praise You, O God, my God.
5  Why are you cast down, O my soul? And why are you disquieted within me? Hope in God; for I shall yet praise Him, the help of my countenance and my God. —Psalm 42:3 - 5

49  Remember the word to Your servant, upon which You have caused me to hope.
50  This is my comfort in my affliction, for Your word has given me life. —Psalm 119:49 - 50

1  But now, thus says the Lord, who created you, O Jacob, and He who formed you, O Israel: “Fear not, for I have redeemed you; I have called you by your name; You are Mine.
2  When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and through the rivers, they shall not overflow you. When you walk through the fire, you shall not be burned, nor shall the flame scorch you. —Isaiah 43:1 - 2

14  But I will hope continually, and will praise You yet more and more.
15  My mouth shall tell of Your righteousness and Your salvation all the day, For I do not know their limits.
16  I will go in the strength of the Lord God; I will make mention of Your righteousness, of Yours only.
17  O God, You have taught me from my youth; and to this day I declare Your wondrous works.
18  Now also when I am old and grayheaded, O God, do not forsake me, until I declare Your strength to this generation, Your power to everyone who is to come. —Psalm 71:14 - 18

2. My shield of faith is forged when I remind (re-mind), then faith renews.

And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God. —Romans 12:2

1 The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want.
2  He makes me to lie down in green pastures; He leads me beside the still waters.
3  He restores my soul; He leads me in the paths of righteousness for His name’s sake.
4  Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil; for You are with me; Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me.
5  You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies; You anoint my head with oil; My cup runs over.
6  Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life; And I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever. —Psalm 23:1 - 6

1  Bless the Lord, O my soul; and all that is within me, bless His holy name!
2  Bless the Lord, O my soul and forget not all His benefits:
3  Who forgives all your iniquities, Who heals all your diseases,
4  Who redeems your life from destruction, Who crowns you with lovingkindness and tender mercies,
5  Who satisfies your mouth with good things, So that your youth is renewed like the eagle’s. —Psalm 103:1 - 5

Uphold me according to Your word, that I may live; and do not let me be ashamed of my hope. —Psalm 119:116

I’ll make a list of God’s gracious dealings, all the things God has done that need praising, all the generous bounties of God, his great goodness to the family of Israel— Compassion lavished, love extravagant. He said, “Without question these are my people, children who would never betray me.” —Isaiah 63:7 – 9 (MSG)

3. My shield of faith is forged through my resolve which leads to a re-up of faith that says, “no matter the circumstance, my God is faithful.”

19 Remember my affliction and roaming, the wormwood and the gall.
20 My soul still remembers and sinks within me.
21 This I recall to my mind, therefore I have hope.
22  Through the Lord’s mercies we are not consumed, because His compassions 
fail not.
23  They are new every morning; great is Your faithfulness.
24 “The Lord is my portion,” says my soul, “Therefore I hope in Him!”
25  The Lord is good to those who wait for Him, to the soul who seeks Him.
26  It is good that one should hope and wait quietly for the salvation of the Lord. —Lamentations 3:21 - 26

Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for He who promised is faithful. —Hebrews 10:23

13  I would have lost heart, unless I had believed that I would see the goodness of the Lord In the land of the living.
14  Wait on the Lord; be of good courage, and He shall strengthen your heart; wait, I say, on the Lord! —Psalm 27:13 - 14

13 [What, what would have become of me] had I not believed that I would see the Lord’s goodness in the land of the living!
14  Wait and hope for and expect the Lord; be brave and of good courage and let your heart be stout and enduring. Yes, wait for and hope for and expect the Lord. —Psalm 27:13 – 14 (AMPC)

13 – 14 I’m sure now I’ll see God’s goodness in the exuberant earth. Stay with God! Take heart. Don’t quit. I’ll say it again: Stay with God. —Psalm 27:13 – 14 (MSG)

13 Yet I believe with all my heart that I will see again your goodness, YAHWEH, in the land of life eternal! Here’s what I’ve learned through it all: 
14 Don’t give up; don’t be impatient; be entwined as one with the Lord. Be brave and courageous, and never lose hope. —Psalm 27:13 – 14 (TPT)

5  Blessed and greatly favored is the man whose strength is in You, In whose heart are the highways to Zion.
6  Passing through the Valley of Weeping (Baca), they make it a place of springs; The early rain also covers it with blessings.
7 They go from strength to strength [increasing in victorious power]; Each of them appears before God in Zion.
8  O Lord God of hosts, hear my prayer; Listen, O God of Jacob! Selah.
9  See our shield, O God, And look at the face of Your anointed [the king as Your representative].
10  For a day in Your courts is better than a thousand [anywhere else]; I would rather stand [as a doorkeeper] at the threshold of the house of my God than to live [at ease] in the tents of wickedness.
11  For the Lord God is a sun and shield; The Lord bestows grace and favor and honor; No good thing will He withhold from those who walk uprightly. —Psalm 84:5 – 11 (AMPC)

Looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. —Hebrews 12:2

Because his heart was focused on the joy of knowing that you would be his, he endured the agony of the cross and conquered its humiliation. —Hebrews 12:2 (TPT)

4  Seek the Lord and His strength; seek His face evermore!
5  Remember His marvelous works which He has done, His wonders, and the judgments of His mouth, —Psalm 105:4 - 5

He remembers His covenant forever, the word which He commanded, for a thousand generations, —Psalm 105:8

11  I will remember the works of the Lord; surely I will remember Your wonders of old.
12  I will also meditate on all Your work, and talk of Your deeds.
13  Your way, O God, is in the sanctuary; who is so great a God as our God?
14  You are the God who does wonders; You have declared Your strength among
the peoples. —Psalm 77:11 - 14

5  Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding;
6  In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct your paths. —Proverbs 3:5 - 6

8  Behold, I have made your face strong against their faces, and your forehead strong against their foreheads. 
9  Like adamant stone, harder than flint, I have made your forehead; do not be afraid of them, nor be dismayed at their looks, though they are a rebellious house.” —Ezekiel 3:8 - 9