Therefore take heart, we believe God that it will be just as it was told us.
Acts 27:25

In Pilgrim’s Progress, John Bunyan described how Christian,

traveling down The King’s Highway,

encountered a fierce enemy —

Apollyon, who represented Satan.

Apollyon straddled quite over the whole breadth of the way & said, ‘

Prepare to die.

You shall go no further; here I will spill your soul

Quick as a flash, the monster threw a flaming spear at Christian’s chest.

But Christian had his armor on, including a shield in his hand that deflected the fiery dart of the evil one.

The ensuing battle was intense, but the tide turned when Christian drew the sword of the Spirit and defeated the enemy.

Without the shield of faith, it’s easy to fall victim to the doubt Satan throws at us.

We’re tempted to doubt the outcome of our situations,

We’re tempted to doubt the answers to our prayers,

We’re tempted to doubt the promises God has made.

If we lay down our shield,

we’re fully vulnerable to the lies launched in our direction.

But Satan has no answer to those who say:

Take heart … I believe God that it will be just as He said.

Faith is the victory that overcomes the world.

The sword of the Spirit he wields,

salvation’s bright helmet he wears,

and faith, the most precious of shields,

on his arm he with confidence bears.

John Bunyan in The Pilgrim’s Progress