The Servant In Battle
I will rejoice and be glad in Your steadfast love, because You have seen my affliction; You have known the distress of my soul, and You have not delivered me into the hand of the enemy: You have set my feet in a broad place.
-Psalm 31:7-8
—-
Hear my cry, O God, listen to my prayer; from the end of the earth, I call to You when my heart is faint. Lead me to the rock that is higher than I, for You have been my refuge, a strong tower against the enemy.
-Psalm 61:1-3
—-
And He who was seated on the throne said, “Behold, I am making all things new.” Also He said, “Write this down for these words are trustworthy and true.” And He said to me, “It is done! I am the Alpha and the Omega, the beginning and the end. To the thirsty I will give from the spring of the water of life without payment. The one who conquers will have this heritage, and I will be his God, and he will be my son.”
-Revelation 21:5-7
O Lord,
I bless Thee that the issue of the battle between Thyself and Satan has never been uncertain, and will end in victory.
Calvary broke the dragon’s head and I contend with a vanquished foe, who with all his subtlety and strength has already been overcome.
When I feel the serpent at my heel, may I remember Him whose heel was bruised, but who, when bruised, broke the devil’s head.
My soul, with inward joy, extols the Mighty Conqueror!
Heal me of any wounds received in the great conflict; if I have gathered defilement, if my faith has suffered damage, if my hope is less than bright, if my love is not fervent, if some creature-comfort occupies my heart, if my soul sinks under the pressure of the fight.
O Thou, whose every promise is balm, every touch life, draw near to Thy weary warrior; refresh me, that I may rise again to wage the strife, and never tire until the enemy is trodden down.
Give me such fellowship with Thee that I may defy Satan, unbelief, the flesh, the world, with delight that comes not from a creature, and which a creature cannot mar.
Give me a draught of the eternal fountain that lieth in Thy immutable, everlasting love and decree. Then shall my hand never weaken, my feet never stumble, my sword never rest, my shield never rust, my helmet never shatter, my breastplate never fall, as my strength rests in the power of Thy might.
–––
No fear, O my soul! The King already reigns victorious! The Great War has already been won!
Then why are we warriors still down here in the trenches, I wonder?
Perhaps because, even though the King knows that the enemy has been overtaken and every foe conquered, the enemy is still giving a last pitiful effort to inflict pain and damage, as he is being overcome by all that is Good? Like a serpent with his head cut off, he wriggles around - soon to be lifeless - but still moving, and though his venomous bite has been taken from him and he can do us no real harm, he’s still in our midst, imparting lies and trying desperately to take even a few more good soldiers down with him before the King rides onto the scene.
That means the battles will soon cease, yes, beloved? This is but the the very end of the fighting! It will Soon be over! And we will return Home, victorious! To a life of feasting and beauty and rest, Together! All praise be to Christ!
So we will press on today, yes? Knowing that we are nearing the end of the struggle and the beginning of Real Life Together? What comfort! What consolation, O my soul!
Please be at peace, my beloved.