Roman sandals, made from a leather sole and straps, could be worn for marching or fighting, and were embedded with materials for enhanced traction. Roman soldiers may have worn studded boots instead of sandals. These durable shoes communicate not only a readiness to carry the gospel forth, but also to communicate the peace the gospel brings.
In the context of the Bible, “beautiful feet” is a bit of an oxymoron. The average ancient Near Eastern person wore sandals, walked on dirt roads, and almost exclusively traveled by foot, which had to have made for some pretty gnarly looking toes. Let’s not even get started on their toenails! Feet would have been a whole situation, which is why this term is so striking. Feet were, quite arguably, the ugliest and most abused part of the body. Why, then, did Isaiah not opt for “how beautiful the face,” or how beautiful “the person” (Isaiah 52:7)? Why such an unlikely, provocative word picture?
We honestly cannot know the answer for sure, but perhaps it’s meant to underscore the beautiful brilliance of truly good news. Consider, for example, the sight of the American soldiers who first arrived at the German concentration camps in 1945. These liberators were tired, haggard, bloody, and bruised. They were probably not looking their best. And yet, they must have appeared beautiful to the tortured prisoners who saw them. Consider also the sight of the first rescue worker who descended into the Chilean mine collapse in 2010. Thirty-three miners were trapped underground for 69 days, and their fate remained uncertain while rescue crews worked around the clock to save them. The first rescue worker to finally reach them was lowered over two thousand feet down a narrow tube, wearing a bright orange jumpsuit and a white hard hat. Those miners had probably never seen anything more beautiful.
This is the kind of beauty that Isaiah is describing in Isaiah 52:7. A beauty that transcends outward appearance, because it is the beauty of rescue. The beauty of hope. The beauty of declaring that all is not lost. When the good news is that rapturous, that overwhelmingly wonderful, one cannot help but be dazzled by the beautiful feet that delivered it.
It is this particular beauty that is meant to clothe the disciples of Jesus, since we are bearers of the best news of all. And so, both Isaiah 52:7 and Ephesians 6:15 leave us with an important, searching question: Is our faith beautiful in this way?
How would our co-workers describe our faith? Our siblings? Our children? The strangers who encounter us online? Is our tone and conduct delivering bad news, simply by how we treat others? Or, is our presence, our posture, and our message to the scared and hurting world around us, beautiful?
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78 thoughts on "The Sandals of the Gospel of Peace"
Such a good point to reflect on.
The beauty of rescue!
Jesus has rescued us and continues to rescue us!
Lord thank you for Jesus!
May we share beauty, let the Lords word outshine the negative.
the beauty of rescue, love that! ❤️
Love this message. Beautiful feet that deliver the message of hope peace and love
This is so, so good. I’ve never seen the message presented like this and it gave me chills and tears. I’ll be reading this devotional again tonight.
What an amazing gift God has given us in his son Jesus Christ. The gift of salvation. The gift of the Holy Spirit. The gift of redemption. May I share that beautiful gift with others, that they may also feel his love.
Such a hard, good question to ponder as we move around our communities:
“Is our faith beautiful in this way? How would our co-workers describe our faith? Our siblings? Our children? Is our tone and conduct delivering bad news, simply by how we treat others? Or, is our presence, our posture, and our message to the scared and hurting world around us, beautiful?”
I don’t know if it is beautiful most of the time or not, but I pray God will help it to be.
I love the quote that it is a beauty that transcends outward appearance because it is the beauty of rescue. I reread the scriptures from today multiple times praying for continuing transformation to showcase the Lord with my life to those around me.
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The beauty of rescue. I love this. Great reminder
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Beauty of rescue. Beauty of hope. I LOVE that!
such a great reminder
WONDERFUL
I can relate Elizabeth – I too am grateful to God!
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In all honesty my faith is probably not being seen by others as beautiful right now. Overwhelmed at work and home, I know that I’m failing at passing on the good news. But I’m grateful that God can work through me and in spite of me to let others know of His good news.
I love your honesty. When I feel overwhelmed I am intentional about praying for peace.
Faith comes from hearing and hearing through the word. In me you may have peace!
The Isaiah passages talk or mention the last days before a Jesus comes to collect His own!
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I would appreciate prayer for my book club members. Three of them are searching and one recently asked me if we could meet because she has been so busy at work and would like to take time off with some friends. This will be the first time we’re meeting after the pandemic began. I must admit I am a bit nervous because the other women are better leaders and charismatic but I’m called to lead this group.
Thank you!
Amen Meghan, thanks for those words. God bless you in everyway. ❤️
Thank you Meghan and Leigh
Thank you, Good Morning!!!!
@Taylor, I’m praying for your hurting heart. You sound like a wise woman whose relationship with Christ is vibrant. Hugs.
Me too.
Heidi, that is such wonderful news. Our God is so good! And you mentioned your niece’s friend and said she doesn’t have the same kind of support…She has YOUR support! And God is working is her life by putting you in it. So keep praying and following God’s leading. And we are all praying as well. We want the angels to rejoice when she too comes to saving faith!! Blessings ❤️
@Meghanfox: Thanks for posting the devotional. I read the mens but also loved what Bailey wrote. @HEIDI: With a brother in recovery and a Sister in law (they aren’t married) I am so excited for you and God truly is a God of miracles. I will continue to Pray for your sister as she continues on this journey. So thankful for all you “she’s” Have a wonderful day.
@Heidi That is awesome news about your niece! I’m praying for a protection around her and her friend.
@Taylor I too am in a season of singleness. I recently let go of my safety blanket guy friend, because I realized I was using him as a pseudo boyfriend to combat loneliness, and realized God had better plans for me than that. I know it is hard, but remember He has a plan for each of us, and it all works together for our good.
@Esther, yes ma’am, I’m having issues as well. My app doesn’t auto open for me either. For the last few days I have to swipe left through a series of slides then it takes me straight to the Bible, not my studies screen. I also have zero way of highlighting. I click to do it & nothing happens.
Thankful for a God who is our shield and protects us. Asking for prayers this morning as my heart is hurting. I have been going on dates with a guy for a little over a month and he honestly checked all my boxes of what I’m looking for in a husband. However, I noticed a shift in things the last week or so and yesterday he broke things off. I have been praying throughout this new relationship that if it was from God He would allow it to flourish and if it was not His will than He would shut it down. Well, I have my answer but my heart still hurts regardless. I’m glad things ended sooner rather than later and I know even in this season of singleness I am walking in God’s will for my life. Today is definitely an exercise of daily faith as the lies, fears, and doubts come creeping in. Please pray for peace and strength that I will continue to trust God and His timing.
Also praising along with you @Heidi about your niece! <3
Heidi, I have been following your story with your niece– it is so good to know she was baptized and is sharing her testimony. :) May God continue to give her guidance in this journey. It is such a blessing you are in this all with her and her friend.
Praise God for the good news!!!! Hallelujah thank you God for redemption and the peace you give us
Leigh, Thanks for being so helpful in this…About those locking shields, if anyone has ever seen the movie, “Risen,” there is a scene at the beginning that shows exactly how that works as a Roman unit of soldiers advances up a hill where their enemies are above. It’s fairly horrifying, as was is, but I will never see it again without thinking of this study and how we as Believers do the same for each other. Thank you!
Thank you!!!
@HEIDI— I’m so happy for you and your niece!!!! That’s such wonderful news! Praise the Lord! I am praying for her friend too. Thank you for sharing!
Thank you Leigh and Meghan for sharing the scripture and devotional! I’m grateful I could still read in the morning.
Thank you Meghan and Leigh for your posts of reading!!!
Thank you Meghan ♥️
Here is today’s devotional from the email: I was fourteen, sitting in a musty old chapel in the middle of the woods, when it became clear to me that Jesus Christ is the real deal. That evening, like many who attended church camps as a youth, I decided to follow Jesus. There wasn’t some life-changing sermon or an altar call, but a slow progression to trusting God with my life. I came home that week and my mom told me, “You walked in the door and there was a light glowing around you. I knew you would never be the same.” She was right. God, “being rich in mercy,” made me alive again through Jesus Christ by faith (Ephesians 2:4–10).
Yet faith is not a one-time commitment. After I entrusted my life to Jesus, I still struggled with various attacks, specifically on my identity. Being a teenage girl is hard. Bodies and social hierarchies are changing, and it was challenging to not let others steal my worth from me. I wanted to believe and trust who God said I was, but it was hard to ignore the influences around me. I needed an active faith to protect me from those attacks.
In Ephesians 6, we are called “In every situation [to] take up the shield of faith with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one” (Ephesians 6:16). Faith is a daily practice that helps us douse the doubt around us.
My battle of belief comes from a fear of doubting my value in Jesus—am I good enough for God? For you, it may be your children, your marriage, your physical health, your finances, your church, your mental health, or your beliefs that feel attacked. Any one of these things requires us to take up the shield of faith and trust in God to deliver us.
As women who believe in God we can hold tightly to this truth: “Everyone who has been born of God conquers the world. This is the victory that has conquered the world: our faith” (1John 5:4).
God will fight for us as we trust in Him and His timing. Faith is scary because it requires risk. We aren’t promised an exact time and day for relief from the enemy’s arrows. But “faith is the reality of what is hoped for, the proof of what is not seen” (Hebrews 11:1). Faith is taking the step forward, an action-oriented obedience, to trust God and believe He is “guard[ing] the steps of his faithful ones” (1Samuel 2:9).
Written by Bailey Hurley
PRAYER UPDATE: :) Hoping to be back to comment later, LOVE this study and am in a rush this morning. BUT-
I wanted to share my niece was BAPTIZED on Sunday!!! She has been successful in sober living for about 5 weeks now. She contacted her old youth pastor and began going in and sharing her testimony and talking with him. Then this past Sunday she rededicated her life to Jesus and was baptized. She’s posting things about Jesus on her social, she’s being outspoken about what God has done for her… it’s all so amazing. She still has so much to work through and the enemy will continue to set up pot holes and put falls all around her, but our God is so much bigger. Prayers for her and strength in her spirit are still so needed and they are turning the fight and it’s incredible to watch… :) :) :) I have not heard from her friend in a while and I’m going to reach back out to her later today. I’m concerned she’s not doing well and I know she doesn’t have the same kind of support in her life. I will update when I hear more on her, and please continue to pray.
I’ll be back here later to news requests and comments- so grateful for all of you!!
Awesome Leigh- thank you VERY much!
Oh also, the informative extra portion is: “ The shield, a soldier‘s primary defense, was made from wood and covered in linen or leather. Roman soldiers would also lock their shields together to defend themselves against their enemies as a unit. Throughout scripture, God is referred to as shield, and faith in him serves as protection for us as individuals and as the people of God.” How beautiful the imagery of soldiers locking their shields together to defend as a unit. How the body can come alongside one another and defend against larger battles, side by side. ♥️
Good morning ladies – I notice the app is still a day behind, so here are your scripture readings today for The Shield of Faith: The focus verse from Ephesians 6:10-20 is v 16: “In every situation take up the shield of faith with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one.” Then the other readings are 1 John 5:1-13, 1 Samuel 2:8-10, Psalm 7:10, Ephesians 2:1-10, and Hebrews 11:1. Sending you all support today and this week. ♥️
I love the study of the armor of God. I previously did the Pricilla Shirer one and would highly recommend it also.
Like many others, for me the SRT posts are a day behind this week-but oh, the HRT are on the right days, and SO POWERFUL! I’m very thankful for both SRT and HRT.
As I have read today about the feet of peace and the shield of faith, the song, “Speak to the Mountains,” is playing in my head. Two others that are sort of on repeat are: “In Jesus Name” and “Jesus is Coming Back.”
The victory is found in Jesus. I can go forward each day because of His tremendous sacrifice on Calvary, because of His power over sin and death, because He lives. Even when/as the battle continues on, I can rest in His armor, in His shielding power, and in His love for me. I will praise. I will shine, for the Light is not my own, but His alone. With feet securely pressed into the peace-of-the-presence of Jesus I will stand, armor-clad, shielded, waving the sword of His Spirit, His Word, His praise. Amen.
Reminds of the Twila Paris song from many years ago, “how beautiful the feet that bring the sound of good news and the love of the King . . .”
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Hi Kristie,
Praying for you. You are doing the right thing. You are praying and reading His Word. How amazing that He gives us His Word to show us how to live and treat others.
Hi Esther, it is. Yesterday the devotional was not posted and today it’s a day behind. I’m reading on He Reads Truth for today’s devotional.
Amen. The beauty of peace
I am so encouraged by your testimony, Molly. You are truly beautiful! Thank you!
Hi Esther – yes I’m having the same issue too. Will be using HRT as well!
Hi Esther, yes me too-thanks for the heads up to use He Reads Truth as I do like to read before going to work x
Hi ladies, anyone else finding it’s a day behind? This is second day I’m having to use He reads truth
Such a beautiful devotional! ❤️
Agreed!
Praying for you Kristie. That God will answer your prayers for guidance and wisdom as you navigate this difficult situation.
@PamC (good to see you!) and Mercy (loved what you wrote!)- The SRT wasn’t up this morning so the SHE’s either skipped or read HRT and commented on yesterday’s post which was still up!
Prayers for you Kristie, don’t be too hard on yourself, I am sure many of us have felt that way at plenty of times on our walk! But yes, it is always good to repent, refresh, and lean into God!
We’ve probably all experienced arriving at a social event and feeling we were not appropriately dressed. The one who wears the armor of God is never over-dressed nor under-dressed. In every gathering, we have the opportunity to bring the Gospel of peace. As we shod our feet with high heels or flip flops, may we remember to walk confidently, ready to share the good news wherever we are, whether at a state dinner or at McDonald’s.
The devotional’s focus on our feet delivering the gospel of peace is beautiful and prompts me to reflect on whether I am fulfilling my mission in delivering the good news. The readings today have a other facet for me. I have been reflecting on the value of good shoes when one travels. Good shoes provide comfort and endurance in long walks. I
Is my faith beautiful in this way? Wow! This is really convicting
This is definitely convicting, and God knew I needed to hear it, read it, and remember it!! I’m struggling with how I’m handling a situation, and if I’m honest, I haven’t handled it in the best ways. Today’s readings have really helped me to see and understand that people on the outside looking in would not think I was a woman who loved and lived God on a daily basis! I’m ashamed to even write this, but I want to learn and grow, and I can’t do that if I’m not honest with myself and others! I have been praying for guidance, wisdom, and help in this situation…but in the midst of it, I tend to forget that my eyes should be pointing up and my mouth should stay shut! Prayers would be greatly appreciated!
This was a thought provoking devotional. How do others preserve my walk with Christ, what kind of gospel am I preaching with how I live my life? I’m not really sure what others would say, there are so many different sides of who I am. I pray that as I hang out with Jesus more and more, they would see him. ❤️
I love the analogies of the rescue team. Very clever illustrations here. It is truly the best news knowing that someone is coming for you when trapped under rubbles, surrounded by fear, danger, loneliness and hopelessness. While reading today’s devotion I can’t help nut notice the gospel was addressed as the Gospel of Peace. Peace. Not addressed as gospel of salvation, gospel of miracles or gospel of God,BUT gospel of peace. And Jesus is the Prince of Peace. This emphasizes for me this is the core value of the benefit, NOT the gospel of condemnation, or gospel of rebuke/correction, or gospel of bad news (preaching fear and hell to get you to God). No no. Gospel of PEACE. May we hold close to our heart knowing that His peace He gives to us, not as the peace this world can give (through meditation, expensive vacation, retail therapy) that may last temporarily but the true peace that surpasses all understanding, when things don’tmake sense, to hold us together. Glory to God. Also wondering where everyone is. Comment number is only 10 ish at this time. Or maybe it is Monday ;) Be blessed dear beautiful SRT sisters.
Sharon, thank you for this wonderful writing this morning. The Lord is really speaking to me y’all. Yesterday we watched the sermon from Pastor Grant at Passion City. It fit with today’s message perfectly. He talked about our “next step”, whether you’re a new member of Christ’s family or a senior citizen…we’ve seen what Christ has done for us, we need to live that out publicly…go share it. They post the sermons on YouTube if you’re interested.
Where is everyone today? Only 7 comments here & it’s after 10 PDT here. Praying you’re all well
Hugs & love
I love that Isaiah used the ugliest part of the body to make point about the beauty of the gospel and the good news. The idea that I Cary the good news of God just by my actions I’d really convicting.
Very convicting.
Is our presence, our posture, beautiful?
What a convicting word.
Beth Rayburn
It is intimidating to search ourselves on “how do others see me in Christ”.
Do I wear the Good News on me every day?
My heart is heavy this morning after reading reports of civilians in Ukraine that were captured by Russian troops, and eventually escaped. I know that God has a plan for these people and I accept that they might not see the good of it in their current situation or perhaps in their lifetime. I pray that they see the beauty of being rescued and I pray for the soldiers and civilians that are at risk every day. May God keep them safe and May those around them spread the good news of the gospels of Jesus and give them hope. Prayers for Ukraine.
Oi! I have loved how SRT has gotten me in the Word more. I truly am a woman in the Word *almost* everyday, lately. And I am overwhelmed by the cyclical nature of life as a sin-trapped person. The Israelites are a baron of cyclical failure and rescue. And, so am I. I love Jesus, I am saved by His blood, BUT, I am also a child of God that lives in a cycle of failure and rescue. It’s taken me a long time to realize it is Jesus’ continual work in my life, the rescue and redeeming that is ongoing AND complete. I love today’s reminder that what I think of me as a dirty, beat up, ugly vessel is still filled with GOOD NEWS, and is clean and beautiful in the eyes of God because of Christ. I was also reminded that I don’t always have to feel like the Good News is only for those who don’t know it yet – it’s also for those in my life who are also a cyclical being, in need of the reminder of the redemptive work in their lives being carried out daily, new every morning! We are headed to our last day of homeschool co op for this academic year and I am so excited to bring the GOOD NEWS to some weary, ready-for-a-break Mamas, despite feeling a bit beat up myself! My feet are dirty and unworthy, but I am strapping on the Good News, excited and honored that God allows even the imperfect to become beautiful deliverers to a weary world!
Such a beautiful message Sharon. Your questions are thought provoking on how we are living.
How would our co-workers describe our faith? Our siblings? Our children? The strangers who encounter us online? Is our tone and conduct delivering bad news, simply by how we treat others? Or, is our presence, our posture, and our message to the scared and hurting world around us, beautiful?
Thank you Sharon. Your analogies of rescuing soldiers brings beautiful perspective to these scriptures and how they apply to our lives. We are both the rescued and have the ability to share the Good News that rescues and brings peace. Thanks be to God!