Well - that is what happened. Jeff mentioned how he misses people talking about "praying through" - i.e. praying until you hear a definitive answer from God; persevering in spite of everything life is throwing at you. He shared a story about how he determined to pray until something was done to bring deliverance to someone he loved who was very ill. This was all in a prelude to the bulk of his sermon. I am sure the sermon was a good one. But you would have to get someone else to confirm that, because the second he finished this story, I zoned out and felt REALLY compelled to go to Ephesians ch 6 and read about the picture Paul the Apostle drew to describe the life-attitude the Christian should wear as we walk through this life. The phrase that caught my mind is found after Paul describes the enemy we Christians face. He tells us to put on the whole armor of God so we can do battle with this enemy... and then the statement that caught my eye..."..and having done all, to stand." And for the next 30 minutes or so, I read and re-read this passage in Ephesians 6 and letting my sometimes overly vivid imagination go as I thought on that phrase..."...and having done all, to stand."
...having done all to stand... Picture the Roman soldier...exhausted beyond measure, hardly able to even hold his sword, fellow soldiers fallen, left and right... He hears the clarion call of the enemies horns of war, and he stiffens, looking to the hills over which the enemy army will momentarily swarm. There is hardly anyone left to resist the enemy's next charge. But the soldier lifts his head. His moment of death is near, but he will not let the enemy see fear or cowardice in him. When the enemy hits him this one last time he will see him eye to eye. The enemy flies over the hill, to crush and destroy this last stand of this army of believer-warriors. The enemy is closer...closer... The soldier and his few remaining comrades stand still, swords and shields at the ready, facing their impending death as soldiers should. Shoulder to shoulder, shield to shield.The enemy is almost upon them - swords lifted, they face the enemy horde.
Out of nowhere, a different horn sounds - a clear, powerful and majestic sound.The sound of thundering hooves is heard over the screams of the enemy.
Through the broken ranks of His believers, the Lords angelic host fall on the enemy. The enemies cry of triumph turns to a cry of terror and frustration as they fall before the Lord and His warrior angels.
This is the mini-movie scene that flashed thru my brain as I read this passage. See? I told you I had a vivid imagination.
But isn't this a picture of real life? Everyone in life will experience a time of having to face imminent destruction. Maybe it's finances - perhaps you have lost your job and all your money and you are going through bankruptcy. Perhaps you are getting ready to face the death of someone you love, or perhaps you have already lost someone you hold dear - a parent, a child or a spouse. We are talking about events here that crush and threaten to destroy you. Not unlike that Roman soldier who has fought off the enemy again and again, only to see the enemy horde attacking... again. He doesn't know where he will find the strength to even lift his sword, but he does. It may be all he can do, but he WILL stand. If he dies, he will not give the enemy the pleasure of seeing him grovel. He will stand and face him eye to eye. He has done all he could do... now he stands. Defiant. Determined. Standing.
Years ago, I lost my job, all of my life savings, and my father.... within 6 months of each other. I understand being crushed. I WAS crushed. Nearly destroyed. What did I do? Got up and went to work. My brand new daughter-in-law asked me - "where are you going?" I said "to work."
"But Mr. Garwood, you don't have a job..." I replied - "I know." And I left. I left home and went to the local music store. I asked them if they needed a music teacher. They said yes. Cool. But I had no students. Folks - I won't say this was an easy time. It wasn't. I was crushed. I was terrified. But even with no students, I was there when that store opened its doors. I set up a music stand in the guitar section of the store, and I would practice. All day. Every hour between 10:00 am and 6:00 pm. Monday through Friday. I would answer questions about the guitars on the walls, and help people make their purchases. I received no commission from the store for any of this. What in the world was I doing? I was standing. I was that soldier, almost no strength left. No income. But I was standing. I didn't let anyone in that store know I was broke. I didn't want sympathy. I needed deliverance. So I stood in the face of my certain destruction, ready for it, even accepting the fact that soon I would probably be completely destroyed. The enemy was that close. But I went to work. I was standing. One by one, I started to get some students. That first year, I made $11,000.00. Total. Our break-even point was $21,000. Where did that extra 10 grand come from? Some from a very tiny teaching job my wife had, but the rest? Can't begin to tell you. But I will tell you this - I am still here. It is 11 years later, my wife and I are building an increasingly successful music teaching business, we are purchasing a house that is more beautiful than I would have ever dreamed, and.... I am still here. As in my vivid little movie scene described above, the Lord delivered me. Like in my little vignette above, the enemy has been pushed back and I am still swinging.
But here is the point I NEED you to know. I didn't stay standing knowing the Lord would deliver me. Frankly, I didn't know if He would or not. But I was angry. I was determined that I would not be a coward. I felt like shouting just like the three children of Israel did so long ago.."Know this, o king - Our God is able to deliver us. But if He does not - We will NOT bow our knee to you." I like that attitude... they were my example.
Having done all.... I stood.
God may or may not deliver you when you think He should. He is not a general under our command to be ordered this way or that. No - it is the other way around. We are the soldiers in HIS army, under HIS command. And our orders are clear. Put on ALL the armor. And when the time comes that you have done all you can.... stand.
Ok - NOW read Ephesians chapter 6.
Mr G
No comments:
Post a Comment