"Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his might. Put on the full armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil. For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places. 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 firm. Stand therefore, having fastened on the belt of truth, and having put on the breastplate of righteousness, and, as shoes for your feet, having put on the readiness given by the gospel of peace." (Ephesians 6:10-15 ESV)
Growing up, my mom was adamant in teaching my brother and I about the armor of God. I remember she would have us say a prayer that the armor of God would surround us on every side while we would wait for the school bus. She even taught us hand motions when we would say the prayer to help us remember it. So every day the prayer would go something like this, "Dear Lord, we ask that you would help us put on the armor of God this morning. We put on the helmet of salvation, the breastplate of righteousness, the girdle of truth, the shoes for the preparation of the gospel of peace, the shield of faith, the sword of the spirit, and our secret weapon, prayer. Amen." To this day, I still meditate on this verse and say this prayer over my family. And the armor of God has helped us to stand firm on the Word of God so that we are not crushed by the devil's schemes to steal, kill and destroy the peace that we have in Christ.
Today, I'd like to focus on the shoes of peace that the verse talks about. I like to imagine that these shoes of peace are like a pair of combat boots, made to weather any storm that comes my way. These shoes were made for spiritual battles, and what greater weapon against the enemy's attacks then shoes of peace?
Just like any other pair of shoes, the shoes of peace have to be put on daily. I think its interesting how the shoes that we decide to put on each day determine the path that we are following that day. For example, if you are wearing a pair of flip flops perhaps you are planning on spending a day at the beach. If you are wearing tennis shoes, then you might be going on a run in the park. And if you are wearing combat boots, then perhaps you are marching into battle.
The interesting thing about the shoes of peace is that when we decide to put them on each morning, we are not marching down a path of peace, but rather a path that is full of hard seasons and tumultuous storms. A path full of the enemy's schemes to cause chaos in our daily lives. However, unlike the other kinds of shoes that each has a set destination applied to them like flip flops for going to the beach, the shoes of peace are designed to sustain us on every winding turn of the road, in every circumstance, no matter the trial or the pain that we have experienced. Paul talks about being sustained through our trials and hard seasons in this way:
"We are afflicted in every way, but not crushed; perplexed, but not driven to despair; persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down but not destroyed," (2 Corinthians 4:8 ESV)
When we choose to put on the shoes of peace each day, then it will help us to get through the hard seasons of life. Our steps will not be shaken, but will be ordered by God who will keep us standing firm against the enemy and will help us to stay in his perfect peace. I encourage you today to put on the combat boots of peace daily with me. That we may be able to stand against the schemes of the enemy together with one of the most important pieces of spiritual armor needed when running into battle.
Dear Lord, thank you for your shoes of peace. I ask that you teach me to shod my feet in the shoes of peace everyday so that I will not be shaken, despaired or crushed. But rather so that I can remember where my help comes from in times of hardship and trial. Teach me to stand firm against the enemy's schemes to cause chaos in my life to try to steal the peace and joy that you have used to strengthen and sustain me each and every day. In Jesus name, amen.
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