(1 Kings 14:27) Then King Rehoboam made bronze shields in their place, and committed them to the hands of the captains of the guard . . .
The kingdom of Judah was blowing it big time. They were worshiping idols and not the Lord their God. So God sent Shishak the king of Egypt against Jerusalem. He took the gold shields that Solomon had made for the temple. King Rehoboam, Solomon’s son, acted very passively and apathetically toward the loss of these gold shields by simply replacing them with bronze shields. They were second-rate in quality and Rehoboam was content with the more substandard character of the bronze.
You know, a lot of Christians are happy to carry around bronze shields. They live defeated lives and are satisfied with mediocrity. The inferior bronze speaks of the inferior interior we are usually so accepting of in our spiritual life.
We know from the Olympics that the gold is what the athletes strive for a lot more than the silver or bronze. Paul said, “I press toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.” (Phil 3:14)
How about you? Are you striving for the gold shield or content just with the bronze? Your shield of faith is important and the quality of it will determine your victory over the fiery darts of the wicked one (Eph 6:16).
Rise up soldier of the Lord, and don’t be entangled with the things of the world, settling for a compromised life. You were meant for more than that. Go for the gold!
Louie