CONCERT OF PRAYER

Pray Week 957

“Sure Footed”

Stand therefore, having fastened on the belt of truth … and, as shoes for your feet, having put on the readiness given by the gospel of peace. (Ephesians 6:14-15)

I loved hiking the Colorado mountain trails during the time I lived there. The terrain varied widely as the trails led you from the forested foothills up to the top of the mountains well above tree line. It was imperative that your clothes and shoes not only protected you but also gave you the freedom to maneuver, climb and maintain your footing.

Our reference Scripture about the belt and shoes portion of the full armor of God uses the metaphor of physical battle to describe how we are to prepare for the spiritual battle that we fight on a daily basis. The girding of the belt was to hold one’s tunic in such a manner as to free their legs to quickly maneuver in hand to hand combat. Having the proper shoes also allowed for sure, safe, footing giving the soldier the ability to stand their ground in combat.

The key elements in our reference Scripture are ‘Truth’ and the ‘Gospel’. The belt of truth keeps us free and nimble, and from tripping ourselves up. How many of us are caught up in religiosity and man-made doctrines that deny or supplant the Truth of God’s Word?

This people honors me with their lips, but their heart is far from me; in vain do they worship me, teaching as doctrines the commandments of men. (Matthew 15:8-9)

In a recent interview a former President of the United States and professing Christian and Sunday school teacher stated that Jesus would condone same sex marriages. Sadly, he is not alone among many religious and political leaders who have also embraced the Supreme Court’s definition of truth instead of the Supreme Being’s Truth found in the Word of God. They have been tripped up and are causing others to stumble also. Without the belt of Truth they have lost their footing.

Shoes fitted by the readiness of the Gospel of peace equip the Christian to stand solidly and firmly in doing spiritual battle.

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. (Ephesians 6:12)

We need to know the Gospel for ourselves. We need to study and read the Word of God daily. We need to feed our spirits as often if not more so than we do our physical bodies. It is one hundred percent health food for our spirit building spiritual muscle necessary to stand firm and fight the good fight of faith.

All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that the man of God may be competent, equipped for every good work. (2 Timothy 3:16-17)

Put on the belt of Truth and the shoes of readiness given by the Gospel. May you stand firm in the faith as a sure footed follower of Jesus Christ.