Kneeling in the mud and dirt I am a not the proud soldier I once was. My armor is dirty and dented.
My sword lies useless on the ground chipped and worn.
My shield is battered but whole.
His banner, my Lords banner, the banner that I raised for him lies beneath me, torn and worn.
The enemy surrounds me; they know that I am beaten. The hate that radiates from them is overwhelming. It poisons me with every breath. The leader of this dark band hisses laughter mixed with excitement. He hates me and all my kind.
Oh how I once was proud. My armor shown brightly and my weapons gleamed with righteous fury. His banner was held high for all to see so that they would know that I serve him who sits the throne.
When the Enemy came I beat sword upon shield, lowered my visor and marched to war with hymns upon my lips.
Now I am broken and afraid. I feel his presence behind me.
My King is there watching and waiting.
I have failed him, I know I have and I will not look Him in the eyes for I am ashamed.
If I were Him I would do the same, I would let the enemy take me for I am unworthy of carrying his banner, of championing his cause.
The Enemy sees this and acts. The Leader, corrupt and decaying draws a sword blacker than night so that he may make the killing blow and seal my fate forever.
Everything slows down.
I feel the breeze against my skin; I hear the sword arcing down to finish me.
I have been forsaken, I am alone and I will die.
Yet I still breathe. The sound of sword on sword rings out amongst us all. My King stands above me shielding my body with His.
“This one is mine” he screams to the enemy “you shall not have him” and charges forth to do battle.
My brothers come to my side and lift me up.
They place my sword in my hand, shield on my arm and raise his banner once more.
“Come” they say “for the enemy is routed and you have served well.”
I found this in recent studies. Remember, ALL have sinned and fall short of the glory of God (Romans 3:23).
But we are not in the battle alone. The goal is to serve the risen
King and to do it with brothers who come around each other. We support
each other in any circumstance with love and conviction, not with
judgement and condemnation. Be sure men, that even though you may be
the one who is up at the current moment, there will come a day when the
encouragement of a brother may be all that stands between you and the
the lost wilderness. Will you not come together and lift a brother to
remind him that the battle has already been won and that they have
served well. Will you not come together, and help a brother or sister to stand.
The key for victory for the enemy is for him to guilt us into believing that we have failed, that we are worthless, that we are alone. My challenge to you is to find that one, two, three or however many people you can to come together to provide support to each other in your time of need. Surround yourselves with people of like faith who when you fall (and we will all fall), they will lift you up, dust you off and get you back in the fight. The battle is already one, you just have to keep going.
I pray blessing, health, and love for each of you. God loves you and so do I.
Pastor Jim
The key for victory for the enemy is for him to guilt us into believing that we have failed, that we are worthless, that we are alone. My challenge to you is to find that one, two, three or however many people you can to come together to provide support to each other in your time of need. Surround yourselves with people of like faith who when you fall (and we will all fall), they will lift you up, dust you off and get you back in the fight. The battle is already one, you just have to keep going.
I pray blessing, health, and love for each of you. God loves you and so do I.
Pastor Jim
