Rocky Road Devotions: Be Strong in the Lord

Thursday, July 30, 2020

Be Strong in the Lord - Part 4 Sandals of Peace

Friday, July 31, 2020

Note; this week we are re-visiting a series of devotions from 2016 entitled

For shoes, put on the peace that comes from the Good News so that you will be fully prepared.

Army basic training at Fort Gordon, Georgia in August of 1966 was such a joy. We went on marches in the woods. It was like a rain forest, hot and steamy. It rained for two centuries during those 8 weeks of basic.

There were two things our Drill Sergeant’s voice bored into our brains on those long wonderful

He would (so lovingly) drone:

Gentlemen…and also yo’ lowlife privates, that little salt tablet will keep yo’ insides wet; an’ whut-evah y’all do, y’all bett-ah keep them socks dry!

Yes, Drill Sergeant!

Paul is no drill sergeant, but he was concerned about making sure the church at Ephesus understood Gospel footgear – the preparation of peace.

Next to his weapon, correct footwear is one of the most important items of equipment to a soldier. A Roman soldier caught with ragged foot gear was liable to severe punishment. It wasn’t just a fickle, arbitrary military game. If a soldier couldn’t march, he couldn’t fight.

The gospel conquers the inner world. Every victory in the Christian’s life depends on that peace.

Friend, just like the ancient soldier was going nowhere without his proper footwear,

And, truth be told, walking in those sandals is the only way to have the peace promised by the Prince of Peace.

Let’s Pray Together:

Father, we’re at a time – a particularly difficult time – when, no matter where you look there are angry, anxious, agitated people. There’s little real peace on our planet right now. We’re parched for the presence of the Prince of Peace. Help us to be that for our culture, a non-anxious presence of Jesus in the midst of storms.

For You Today

Good news – Good shoes! If you lack peace today, give up whatever religious activity in which you’ve been dabbling…and let God give you real peace.

You chew on that as you hit the Rocky Road today. Have a blessed day!