Under Your Feet

In Psalm 110:1, the bible tells us that God makes enemies his footstool. Notice that God is not promising the absence of enemies, but he does promise their position, which is under his feet. Think about naturally what it means to use a footstool. When you use a footstool, it is under your feet. You are resting in a position of authority.

In Joshua chapter 10, we see leaders placing their feet on the necks of defeated kings, both literally and figuratively. This chapter outlines the conquest of southern Canaan. If you read the entire chapter, you will see how God continually moved for Joshua and kept the enemy under his feet. In chapter 9, we see the Gibeonites make a covenant with Israel under false pretenses. Once other Canaanite cities heard of Gibeon surrendering to Israel, they banded together to come against Gibeon. These Canaanite kings were cunning. They knew they could not challenge Israel directly, so they attacked their subjects, just like Satan knows he is no match for God, so he attacks us. He tries to win you back to his side, and if he can’t sway you, he does his best to hinder you.

Joshua could have seen this as an opportunity to get out of a bad covenant with the Gibeonites, but he kept his promise and his oath, just like God keeps his promise to us to always protect us. In Joshua 10:8, God gives a command and a promise to Joshua. He says do not fear, and he promises Joshua that he has delivered them into his hand. Joshua could obey God’s command not to fear because he had the promise of victory.

Throughout the rest of the chapter, we see God’s promise in verse 8 fulfilled. Supernatural interventions occur, such as God raining hailstones down from heaven that only kills the enemy and does no harm to Israel and the sun and the moon standing still for Israel to be victorious. I think it is ironic that the Canaanites worshiped nature Gods, and God chose to use elements of nature to defeat them. They must have been so confused and thought that their God’s were helping the Israelites! The Lord fought for Israel, and the promise of victory was fulfilled.

Jesus has already won the victory. We are not meant to be in bondage of the things of this world because we have the victory through his death, burial, and resurrection. 1 Corinthians 15:25-27 declares that all enemies are placed under his feet. Hebrews 10:12-13 shows us Christ seated, indicating a finished work, and Ephesians 1:19-22 affirms his power and our ability to share that power. We do not have to fight for victory. We can fight from victory, knowing that we already have the promise of victory.

Luke 10:19 confirms that the authority granted to us is given, and not earned. To tread means to walk or step on the enemy. Jesus gives us power over all the power of the enemy! We just have to walk in it. Malachi 4:3 reminds us that the wicked remain under our feet. “And ye shall tread down the wicked; for they shall be ashes under the soles of your feet…”

What God has placed under your feet must stay there. Romans 16:20 says “And the God of peace shall bruise Satan under your feet shortly.” What God places under your feet was never meant to be carried on your back, so give it to God, and declare that what is under your feet will remain under your feet, in Jesus’ name.