Day 20 — Belt, Breastplate, Shoes

“Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness arrayed, and with your feet fitted with the readiness of the gospel of peace.”

— Ephesians 6:14–15 (BSB)

Today, let’s look at the first three pieces of the armor of God.

The belt of truth. A Roman soldier’s belt might not seem very exciting. But it was important! It held everything together. His sword hung from it. It kept his clothes from tangling around his legs when he ran. Without the belt, everything else would fall apart.

The belt of truth holds our lives together. The devil’s main weapon is lies. When you know what’s true (who God is, who you are in Christ and what His Word says), his lies can’t trip you up. Truth also means being honest yourself. A person who lies is like a soldier whose belt keeps slipping.

The breastplate of righteousness. The breastplate covered a soldier’s chest and protected his heart and other important organs. Without it, one arrow could be the end.

Righteousness means being right with God. We can’t make ourselves righteous. But when we trust Jesus, He gives us His righteousness, like a breastplate He puts on us. So when the devil says, You’re too bad for God to love, you can point to your breastplate: Jesus made me right with God. And as we live the right way, doing what’s right and honest, the breastplate stays strong.

The shoes of the gospel of peace. Roman soldiers wore sturdy sandals with little spikes on the bottom, a bit like soccer cleats. They helped soldiers stand firm without slipping, and march long distances.

The gospel is the good news about Jesus. It gives us peace with God. When you know you have peace with God, you can stand firm without slipping, even in scary times. And “readiness” means being ready to go and share that good news with others. Your feet can carry the gospel wherever you walk!

Notice the first words: “Stand firm then.” The goal isn’t to run away or to win by attacking. It’s to stand, to hold your ground and not be knocked over.

Think about it: Which of these three pieces do you think you need most right now: truth, righteousness or peace?

Try this: Label the belt, breastplate and shoes on the soldier you drew yesterday. Next to each one, write what it means.

Dear God, thank You for the belt of truth, the breastplate of righteousness and the shoes of the gospel of peace. Help me know Your truth and speak truth. Thank You that Jesus makes me right with You. Help me stand firm in Your peace and be ready to share the good news. In Jesus’ name, Amen.