Day Fourteen = Holy Cleats!

Therefore take up the whole armor of God that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand firm. (Ephesians 6:13)

The defense is lined up. You look around keeping in mind the play call. You begin, “ready, set, hike!” Ball in hands as you stand in the pocket looking for that open receiver. What’s this? In the corner of your eye you spot your protection failing and the defense is closing in about to tackle for a loss. What to do? Run? Or stand there to make the play that was called? You decide to stand and wait for your intended receiver to get open. You pound your cleats into the ground preparing for the potential hit about to come hoping to stand firm enough to make the play.

This might be what crosses your mind as you play quarterback for a little family football. This is also what might have gone through the mind of a roman soldier during the days of Paul. Their shoes also had cleats, like metal spikes, on the bottoms. In wartime they would line up and dig those nail-like cleats into the ground so as to not be moved by the engaging enemy.

As the Apostle Paul clearly had in view the Roman soldiers garb as he described the armor of God, he too recognized the importance of not being overcome by the enemy. He wrote to the church in Galatia “For freedom Christ has set us free; stand firm therefore, and do not submit again to a yoke of slavery.” (Gal. 5:1)

During your fast the enemy of sin, will no doubt, come to knock you off your feet. Question is; what are you digging into to keep yourself standing? Are your holy cleats thrust into the Word of God so that even after all the spears have been thrown or those meant to protect have been tossed to the ground, you can stand when the enemy comes?