Text: Acts 21:1-14
Memory verse:
”And how shall they preach unless they are sent? As it is written: “How beautiful are the feet of those who preach the gospel of peace, Who bring glad tidings of good things!”“
‭‭Romans‬ ‭10‬:‭15‬ ‭NKJV‬‬

In the ancient days, the Roman soldiers wore shoes called ‘caligae’. The shoes were constructed from three layers of leather, which were pulled up and laced around the ankle. They also had small spikes or iron hobnails, often driven into the soles of the shoes in order to give firm footing on uneven terrain and to protect against blisters and foot diseases during long marches.
The shoes formed the foundation of the soldiers’ wears. The foot soldiers in the ancient times relied on walking as their primary means of transportation. Thus, the ability to move easily and comfortably was a necessity for them. Furthermore, they needed to be able to step freely on the battlefield without any fear or thought about where they stepped and to concentrate on the battle at hand.
Ephesians 6:1 says ”and having shod your feet with the preparation of the gospel of peace;“ What is the gospel? It is the good news about salvation through Jesus Christ. This message brings peace to the whole world! The heavenly host rejoicing at the birth of Jesus said, ”“Glory to God in the highest, And on earth peace, goodwill toward men!”“ ‭‭(Luke‬ ‭2‬:‭14‬).
Through sin, the entire human race lost its peace. However, through the sacrifice of Christ, God restored the peace. Thus, Jesus is our peace (Rom 5:1; Eph 2:14). There is no other means of having peace outside Him. Through Him, the wrath of God against sinners is removed, and we have peace with God. This basic peace, that is, the peace with God, brings peace in us and peace with others. This is the message we should always be prepared to share with others.
Friends, the gospel of peace provides us with the preparation. That is, the foundation we need to face life’s battles. It is an offensive armour because the good news of Christ brings light to those in darkness and liberty to those in the prison of ignorance. It’s a war between light and darkness, the ruler of the darkness of this world. He attacks us with the debris of fears, doubts, persecution, troubles, and so on to make us back out when we ‘Go’ to preach. But we stand firm with our shoes as we go in readiness, after the enemy, enforce the victory of Christ and tread upon him with the spikes of our shoes. Hallelujah!

Prayer points
1. Father, help me to always be ready to preach the gospel, never afraid nor lose my focus, in Jesus’ name.
2. Father, let me enjoy all-round victory and protection as I preach the gospel in Jesus’ name.

Today’s declarations
1. I don’t spend my life always defending the attacks of the enemy, but I take the gospel as an offensive weapon to the camp of the enemy.
2. The gospel of Christ is the only way of peace, and I will be ready at all times to preach it.