Selecting the Proper Shoes - Devotional

GracetoYou.org ^ | 1993 | John MacArthur, Grace Community Church

[metmom]

"Stand firm . . . having shod your feet with the preparation of the gospel of peace" (Eph. 6:14-15).

Standing firm while in the conflict requires the right kind of spiritual footwear.

I'll never forget a game that took place at the Rose Bowl during my college football days. Being winter time and late in the football season, the field was in bad shape from several days of rain and an entire season of wear and tear. However, the grounds crew painted the field green, so it looked much better than it actually was. I had two pairs of football shoes: one with long spikes for bad turf and one with short spikes for good turf. Thinking the field looked pretty good, I opted to wear the short spikes.

On the opening kick-off I caught the ball on the four- yard line, took two steps, and immediately landed on my backside. That's not unusual after a tackle, but in this case there wasn't an opponent in sight! I slipped in the mud—my shoes betrayed me.

Since proper shoes are important in athletics, how much more so are they when fighting for your life. Roman soldiers took great care in selecting just the right shoe. Typically they wore a thick-soled semi-boot with straps securing it to the leg. On the bottom of the soles were hobnails that protruded like the cleats of a track or baseball shoe. The thick soles protected the feet from injury; the hobnails provided traction when maneuvering on the soil.

The Christian's spiritual footwear is the "gospel of peace" (Eph. 6:15). Romans 5:1 says, "Having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ." God has reconciled you to Himself through the death of His Son (v. 10). Once you were His enemy; now you are His child. Once He opposed you; now He is on your side.

No matter how difficult your circumstances may be or how many opponents come against you, realize that the invincible God of the universe is on your side. He makes war against His enemies (Rev. 2:16), and against Him no one can stand. So stand firm in that confidence. Focus on your Great Ally rather than your feeble enemies.

Suggestions for Prayer

Thank God for His peace, presence, and protection in your life.

For Further Study

Read Judges 7. How did Gideon demonstrate his confidence that God was on his side?

[metmom]

Studying God’s Word ping

[cyclotic]

One of my pet peeves is grown men who wear flip flops.

Proper footwear is necessary for the task both expected and unexpected. Flip flops are sissy shoes and don’t allow you to do anything except walk on a smooth surface.

I was on a backpack trek once and some college age young men were on the same trail. One had only flip flops. The first couple hours he was ok but he was in colossal pain the other 40 miles.

The battle may take on many facets but if you’re not properly shod, physically or spiritually you are next to useless.

[metmom]

Flip flops on a guy are like skinny jeans on a guy.

But great analogy.

We can do fine on our own for a little bit, but when push comes to shove, then we take a beating for not being properly prepared.