(Adapted from an earlier post…)
So I give my brother (hey Wes!) a hard time for being a Star Wars nut and a “Trekkie,” but then I find myself watching Lord of the Rings with friends anddiscussing things like, “Oh, those are Urakhai, a crossbreed between Orcs and Humans.” Sigh. In my own defense, the Lord of the Rings trilogy has an inescapable depth of meaning that has truly inspired me and even given me insights into the spiritual realm.
For example, in the Two Towers Gandalf and Company are trying to convince Theoden, King of Rohan, to engage the enemy whose goal is to rule all of Middle Earth. (Stay with me…) Theoden holds his position of not wanting to endanger his already shaken people. Here’s the great part: Aragorn counters his argument with this idea: “War is upon you, whether you would risk it or not.”
The reality is that there is a Spritual War. Ephesians 6 puts it this way, “For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.”
I have heard it said that one of the devil’smost powerful tactics is to convince the world that he does not exist. The postmodern age we live in has convinced us that something only exists if it is provable, testable. The
reality is this: There is a spiritual war raging. And even if we would like to deny that reality, or try to sidestep it, “it is upon us, whether we would risk it or not.”
What should our reaction be? What should we do once we realize spiritual war is upon us? King Theoden had very little time to prepare his people for battle, but he took the following steps. First, they called upon their allies. Theoden realized that he was outnumbered by the enemy, and so he petitioned those allied with the kingdom of Rohan for help. Then, he ordered that armor and weapons be given to every man able to fight. Even young boys, barely big enough to carry a sword, were given armor and a few moments of training. They were the most unlikely warriors.
As I prepare to run into the spiritual battle, I oftentimes feel like the young warrior, nervous and uncertain. Sometimes, I feel like I am not ready. But then I hear the voice of my Lord saying, “Rise up, daughter of the King! You are my warrior, but you do not go alone. Look around! There is a whole army standing with you. And I am with you. Now, put on your armor and take your sword, and come and stand with Me.”
I leave you with words of encouragement from Ephesians 6:10-18.
“Be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. Put on the full armor of God so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes. For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand.
Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place, and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace. In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the saints. ”
As a World Race team, we have decided to take the offensive in this war. We are going out in the Name of Jesus Christ to reclaim the land that has been stolen by the enemy. We go to bring His Kingdom – one of redemption, truth, life, peace, healing, joy, and freedom. What role do you play in the spiritual war?
