July 19
HEAVY DUTY SHOES
"Thy shoes shall be iron and brass; and as thy days, so shall thy
strength be." Deut. 33:25
Here are two things provided for the pilgrim: shoes and strength.
As for the shoes: they are very needful for traveling along rough
ways, and for trampling upon deadly foes. We shall not go barefoot --
this would not be suitable for princes of the blood royal. Our shoes
shall not be at all of the common sort, for they shall have soles of
durable metal, which will not wear out even if the journey be long and
difficult. We shall have protection proportionate to the necessities
of the road and the battle. Wherefore let us march boldly on, fearing
no harm even though we tread on serpents, or set our foot upon the
dragon himself.
As for the strength: it shall be continued as long as our days
shall continue, and it shall be proportioned to the stress and burden
of those days. The words are few, "as thy days thy strength," but the
meaning is full. This day we may look for trial, and for work which
will require energy, but we may just as confidently look for equal
strength. This word given to Asher is given to us also who have faith
wherewith to appropriate it. Let us rise to the holy boldness which it
is calculated to create within the believing heart.