Shield of Faith

This is our Sunday teaching from Leon Spence. Recorded live at our service in Harris Academy Purley, Croydon on Sunday 15th June, 2025. Below you can find the full talk audio, and a summary article.

Want to lead a Connect Group session on this teaching? The notes are here!

Talk Summary: The Lord Is My Shield - A Father’s Day Reflection

“The Lord is my shield.” These simple yet powerful words from Scripture were our rallying cry this Father’s Day. As we honoured not just biological dads, but all those who embrace the role of fathering, we also turned our hearts toward the One who fathers us all—God, our shield, our strength, and our salvation.

Taking inspiration from David’s famous battle with Goliath, we explored what it truly means to live with the shield of faith. David, a young man not even old enough for battle, stepped forward with confidence—not in himself, but in the Lord. While Goliath came armed with sword, spear, and shield bearers, David’s victory came through faith: “The battle is the Lord’s” (1 Samuel 17:47).

Faith, we heard, is not wishful thinking. It’s a shield that covers us from both distant doubts and close-up attacks. It’s rooted in a deep trust that God fights for us—just as He has throughout history. From Adam to Abraham, Moses to Jonah, every story in the Bible whispers the same truth: God saves. Ultimately, all Scripture points to Jesus, who overcame sin and death for us, and who invites us to live by faith in Him.

But faith isn’t static. Like Saul, we risk laying down our shields when fear or pride takes root. The message challenged us to be alert to the subtle temptation of elevating our own thoughts above God’s Word. We were reminded of the power of recommitting to Scripture—treating it not as a supplement, but as our daily bread. God's Word is both sword and shield.

We also heard a powerful personal testimony: how God's Word, lived out in a grandmother’s prayers and a mother's resilience, shaped a life. How recommitting to Scripture and walking in faith has renewed relationships, restored purpose, and brought peace amid the pressures of life.

The call is clear: Pick up your shield. Recommit to God’s Word. Fight not just for yourself but for your family, your street, your community. And when you’re weary, let others lift your arms. We don’t carry our shields alone.

“Search me, O God… and lead me in the way everlasting.” (Psalm 139:23–24)