From Darkness to Light

There I was, in the midst of a shadow filled, rugged battlefield. My iron clad comrades were falling on every side in the plight of war. They fought bravely and virtuously. After a rigorous battle, I was the last one standing. Exhausted and battleworn I stood as if I were a single candle on a midnight mountain top as darkness covered the earth. The first wave of the army of darkness had fallen without any glory, for how could darkness and glory be betrothed? Glory can only be bestowed upon the one who is worthy! No, the only thing darkness wants is torment, fear and destruction. ”Praise be to God“ I said softly “that the dark army has been pushed back!”

I bent my knee to rest, with my double edged sword in hand and the razor edged tip firmly planted into the ground to stabilize my weary body. The weight of my solid plate armor felt a little lighter as I knelt. The silence of the aftermath of the battle had turned into a terrible rumbling in the distance that caused the ground to shake under my foot that had been firmly planted. I lifted my eyes to see the enemy's vast army, hideous and loud. Their numbers were reminiscent of the dust that covers the armory of soldiers who have fallen asleep. I could hear their mocking chants as they advanced across the earth. 

I looked around through the thick shadows only to see I was there alone. There was not a single soul who stood on my side, I was in complete solitude. My heart sank in despair. Weak in body and in spirit, I tried to stand but the weight of despair pushed me again to my knees. As my armored knee hit the ground, the reverberation throughout the rest of my body caused the dirty sweat to quickly drop from my forehead to the blood soaked ground.  Suddenly, I heard a voice say gently “get up.” It was a familiar voice, one that I had heard and conversed with before. Both in peacetime and war, I often spoke with the One who now beckoned me to stand. A spark of hope was ignited in my tired soul for the voice was of my Father, the King of Heaven and Earth. He was near! 

I looked to Heaven, through the ash filled sky and responded to my King, “Lord, I am tired, everyone has fallen. I am alone.” Again the voice said “Get up! Stand and fight!” in a tone one might hear from a trainer pushing you toward a goal. A glimmer of courage dropped into my heart as I softly whispered  “I trust you and because you said so, I will fight.” Mustering all of the strength I had left, I stood to my feet. As I dusted off my battered armor and lifted my head to face the approaching darkness I felt a tenacity start to build in my spirit. With all of the determination that Heaven had gifted to me, driven by love and devotion for my King I stepped toward the enemy. 

Through the ash and debris, my next steps were turned into a full on charge to engage the encroaching threat. I am a soldier of a gracious, warrior King! I dare not shrink from a battle when I know He has told me to fight for I know that when He says “fight” I already have already won the victory!

Charging headlong into the sea of darkness, wielding my weapons of warfare and a spirit that had been enlisted into a supernatural military, I started cutting down the enemy. I could hear the snarls and gnashing of the enemy’s teeth as saliva and blood flew from their mouths. Their swords and shields clashed against my armor, sparking as they made contact. I could see gashes and dents forming in my chest plate and gauntlets as multiple strikes were being launched against me. It appeared the fight would soon be over for this lone flicker of light. Suddenly, there was a loud sound of a rushing wind and a burst of light that lit up the sky! As I turned to see the light that was blinding the darkness, I realized it radiated from the great angel armies of Heaven! Their armor was bright gold and platinum. The faces shown like the sun! They had a fire in their eyes that I had seen in the very eyes of my Father for they carried His heart and had been sent with His goodness! It was the same heart that He had placed in me when He saved me from the stench of the filth that He had found me in and adopted me into His family.  

The army of light hit the armies of darkness as if it were a powerful wave overcoming a small fishing boat in the rage of a stormy sea! As the battle continued I realized, when I call out to my brave King all of Heaven backs me! I never stand alone. In the midst of battle, with the hilt of his sword, a soldier of darkness landed a solid blow to my face dazing me, but only for a second. I felt courage, strength, and boldness rise in my spirit as blood dripped from my lip. Swiftly turning my face back to the enemy that had landed the blow as I smiled, my teeth red with my own lifeblood, I declared “My God has given me the victory!” I quickly saw the smug grin on my adversary's face turn to intense fear as he realized that coming to battle against the Lord’s beloved was a grave mistake.   

In unison with the Heavenly hosts of angel armies, we advanced and quickly struck down the sea of darkness with loud blasts of rams horns, glistening double edged swords and spears. Victory had been won and I had a fresh surge of energy for my next assignment from my King. My King and my God, the Lord of Heaven's armies had reminded me that day that I am never alone even in moments that look so bleak and hopeless. With Him, all things are possible and so I wield my sword daily!