If ever we were living in a time where fierce faith is needed, it is now.
Fierce faith is built on nothing less than standing on the word of God. The Bible says it so clearly in 2 Corinthians 5:7, “We walk by faith and not by sight.”
When I was a teenager, I loved to watch scary movies, but I always had a pillow ready, and when a scene was coming up that really scared me I would hide behind the pillow so I couldn’t see it until it passed. That’s how I feel when I watch the news.
I want a pillow to cover my eyes from all the devastation that the coronavirus is causing, the loss of life, the sorrow of patients as their loved ones could not be near them to hold their hand and comfort them, the health care providers on the front lines without the proper protection because this came upon us so quickly, and the many people who lost their jobs and the uncertainty that they face for tomorrow.
All I can say is, it is a good thing I don’t walk by sight, but by faith!
The good news is I have something better than a pillow. It’s called the Shield of faith, and I walk by faith and not by sight. They refer to this virus like being at war!!! We, as Christians are ready to fiercely fight that battle, and it starts by putting on the Full Armor of God.
Ephesians 6:13-17 “Therefore put on the full armor of God so that when the day of evil comes you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand. Stand firm then with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place, and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace. In addition to all of this, take up the shield of faith with which you can extinguish the flaming arrows of the evil one. Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the spirit, which is the word of God.”
The Shield of Faith is our trust and reliance on God for his protection, trusting in all of his promises. The Bible declares “He is a shield for all who take refuge in him.” (Psalm 19:30) Fierce faith relies on and takes refuge in God.
And what rises up from within is a Fearless Warrior. Faith overrides fear. Fear is an emotion that rises up like a wave and will take you on a journey you don’t want to go on, but you can jump off that wave. Pick up your sword (the word of God) and declare “God did not give me a spirit of fear, but of power, love, and a sound mind.” (2 Timothy 1:7)
Fierce Faith rises up in us as we stand on the word of God. Fierce is described as being forceful, strong, aggressive, intense. Ephesians 6:10 tells us to “Be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power.” And in Joshua 1:9 the Lord commands us to “Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid. Do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.” A lifestyle of faith — it’s passionate and fierce because courage will rise up because you know God is with you!!
Look at David when he faced Goliath: he stood before the giant confident in the outcome. David said, “You come before me with sword and spear and javelin, but I come against you in the name of the Lord God Almighty.” (1 Samuel 17:45) And we know the outcome — David killed the giant because God was with him!
The giant we face today is this virus, but we know God is with us, and just like David, fierce faith is rising up in us because we don’t stand alone.
WE come against this virus in the name of the Lord God Almighty!
And we say: circumstances don’t have the last word, Jesus does… Coronavirus does not have the last word… Jesus does!
“Faith is the confidence in what we hope for and the assurance of what we do not see.” (Hebrews 11:1) Confidence and faith are synonymous. Fierce Faith is an unwavering confidence in God. It’s knowing that if God said he will do something… HE WILL DO IT!!!