Message Magazine’s Online Devotional for Wednesday, March 23, 2016
“And your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace;” (Ephesians 6:15).
Have you ever heard this little ditty? “Oh, be careful little feet where you go…” God is always watching. There are some places He would rather we avoid. Our feet should not be swift to shed blood or do mischief. We should never go to feast with the intemperate and unholy. We certainly should steer clear of the harlot’s house (unless the Lord said go to redeem her).
In ancient battle (modern too, for that matter) it was absolutely essential that soldiers’ feet and legs were well equipped to move freely and resist certain harsh obstacles on the ground. Their feet had to be prepared for battle. What if a foot soldier went to battle and boulders and briers were in his path? What if that soldier decided to wear flip-flops? How efficiently would he be able to cover ground to defeat his enemies? Unless he is a conqueror like Shaka Zulu, he’d be much better off with those feet protected and prepared for battle.
Notice the preparation of the warrior’s feet in our theme text. Paul admonishes that our feet be firm, sure, and prepared with the gospel of peace. As you might expect I have another verse for you. It says: “How beautiful upon the mountains are the feet of him that bringeth good tidings, that publisheth peace; That bringeth good tidings of good, that publisheth salvation; That saith unto Zion, Thy God reigneth!” (Isaiah 52:7). You’ve heard the old adage: “Feet don’t fail me now.” Well, if your feet are firm and prepared to carry the great news of salvation, they will not fail. Your God will equip each step to carry good tidings into the entire world.
Paul said that he was not ashamed of the gospel (of Jesus Christ), because it is the power of God unto salvation (Romans 1:16). Isaiah said that Jesus is the Prince of Peace (Isaiah 9:6). Paul also said that by faith, we can have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ. Our foot-level spiritual armaments are to be prepared with the great news of salvation through Christ, our Prince of Peace.
Do you have your armor on?
