“For shoes, put on the peace that comes from the Good News so that you will be fully prepared. 16 In addition to all of these, hold up the shield of faith to stop the fiery arrows of the devil.”
Once again, there is an explanation of the soldier’s shoes in Living Insights: Ephesians by Charles Swindoll. “The Roman legionaries wore heavy sandals with soles made of several layers of leather averaging 2 centimeters thick, studded with hollow-headed hobnails. They were tied by leather thongs half-way up the shin and were stuffed with wool or fur in the cold weather. These shoes were ideal for fast-moving hand-to-hand combat. Like today’s football and soccer cleats, they were meant to give maximum footing and traction to prevent sliding.” (page 310)
Those shoes gave the soldiers a sense of security, peace. We have peace because of Jesus’ sacrifice for us. We know that Jesus forgave us from all our sin when we put our trust in him. Romans 5: 1 says, “Therfore, since we have been made right in God’s sight by faith, we have peace with God because of what Jesus Christ our Lord has done for us”. We are not living in fear because we might not have done enough for God to love and accept us. Jesus paid the penalty for sin. We are completely forgiven. We are at peace with God.
We know we don’t live perfect lives. Hardly a day goes by when we are not aware of something we said or did – or even thought – that we wish we could undo. We can be honest with God and ask for forgiveness often to keep our relationship with him open and strong. It’s not that we lose our salvation everytime we sin. By asking for forgiveness, we are just keeping our life with God close. 1 John 1: 9 says, “But if we confess our sins to him, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all wickedness”.
That gives us peace! It helps us to stay strong when Satan tries to mess us up. There is an intersting verse in Romans 14 that reminds us that having things to make life easier is not what actually gives us peace. It’s that relationship with God that gives peace. “For the Kingdom of God is not a matter of what we eat of drink, but of living a life of goodness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit.” God gives us peace!
Charles Swindoll says “The shield that Paul had in mind was the Roman scutum, a four-and-a-half foot oval or rectangel of hide-covered wood framed with iron. Often the leather was soaked in water prior to battle in order to put out the enemy’s dangerous incendiary missiles – arrows dipped in pitch and set on fire. … In battle this shield could be locked together with others to form a wall in front, and a roof overhead”. (page 311)
Through faith we know that God will protect us. Satan will try to derail us in many ways such as anger, fear, pride, frustration, greed, lust, jealousy – and so many more. Here are some verses from Psalm 18 where David praises God for the strength and protection God gives. This is just a few verses from the psalm – you might like to read the whole psalm on your own.
I love you, Lord;
you are my strength.
2 The Lord is my rock, my fortress, and my savior;
my God is my rock, in whom I find protection.
He is my shield, the power that saves me,
and my place of safety.
3 I called on the Lord, who is worthy of praise,
and he saved me from my enemies. …
46 The Lord lives! Praise to my Rock!
May the God of my salvation be exalted!
47 He is the God who pays back those who harm me;
he subdues the nations under me
48 and rescues me from my enemies.
You hold me safe beyond the reach of my enemies;
you save me from violent opponents.
49 For this, O Lord, I will praise you among the nations;
I will sing praises to your name.
50 You give great victories to your king;
you show unfailing love to your anointed,
to David and all his descendants forever.
One thing I have realized over my life is that I like to have things planned. I actually like to control things. I want them to work out well. That causes a lot of tension and worry in my life. It’s an area that Satan enjoys tossing into my mind. I know that I need to use my “shield of faith” frequently. That’s also why I love verses like the first three in Psalm 18:
I love you, Lord;
you are my strength.
The Lord is my rock, my fortress, and my savior;
my God is my rock, in whom I find protection.
He is my shield, the power that saves me,
and my place of safety.
I called on the Lord, who is worthy of praise,
and he saved me from my enemies.
Our song for today is You Make Me Brave by Bethel Music and Amanda Cook.