When the Battle's Over *

When you go out to fight your enemies and you face horses and chariots and an army greater than your own, do not be afraid. The Lord your God, who brought you out of the land of Egypt, is with you! When you prepare for battle, the priest must come forward to speak to the troops. He will say to them, "Listen to me, all you men of Israel! Do not be afraid as you go out to fight your enemies today! Do not lose heart or panic or tremble before them. For the Lord your God is going with you! He will fight for you against your enemies, and he will give you victory!"

Deuteronomy 20:1-4 NLT

"What we do in life echoes in Eternity" - that's a line from one of my favorite movies. I will admit that the first time I watched Gladiator was only because Russell Crowe played the part of Maximus Decimus Meridius. I'm really not into the blood-and-guts genre, although I have come to understand that life has its share of it - in one form or another - no matter what generation is represented. However, from the onset of the beginning battle, I was impressed by the director's ability to create a realistic battle without completely grossing me out. 

What leapt out at me were these four things:

1. As the commander of thousands, Maximus made himself visible to those who were going to fight at his command. There were great differences of who saw what - those who were closest to him not only saw him, they touched him, spoke with him.
2. They followed him because they knew him. His reputation preceded him - he was a victorious leader. They knew he had a plan and knew his way would lead to victory.
3. Those designated to ride into battle with him heard his instruction, Stay with me...Stay with me...
4. When the battle was over, they won. Yes, there were the wounds of battle and there was blood on everything, but they won because they followed his commands.

I'm not here to give you the Siskel and Ebert précis of the movie; as movies go, it had good and bad (which is why we must guard what we put in our spirit). The Truth is, what we do in life truly does echo in eternity, but it's not by being "good" men. It's only in accepting and believing in Christ and what He did on the cross at Calvary that gets us to our reward in Heaven.

Here's what leaps out at me now...

1. As the commander of Heaven's armies, Jesus Christ makes Himself visible to those who will fight at His command. There are great differences of who sees what - those who are closest to Him not only see Him, they touch Him. Speak with Him. And we get closer to Him by obedience to His every command.
2. We follow Him because we know Him. His reputation precedes Him - He is a victorious leader. We know He has a plan and we know His way will lead to victory.
3. Those who dare to ride into battle with Him hear His instruction, Stay with Me...Stay with Me...
4. When the battle is over, we win. There are the wounds of battle but we will win because we followed His commands. And yes, praise God - there is Blood on everything... His precious Blood covers us all...

We must follow Him. We know who He is - Jesus Christ - the same yesterday, today and forever. So, no matter what your battle is today - whether it's a literal army or overwhelming odds - He says to us what He said to the men of Israel...  When you go out to fight your enemies and you face horses and chariots and an army greater than your own, do not be afraid. The Lord your God, who brought you out of the land of Egypt, is with you! When you prepare for battle, the priest must come forward to speak to the troops. He will say to them, "Listen to me, all you men of Israel! Do not be afraid as you go out to fight your enemies today! Do not lose heart or panic or tremble before them. For the Lord your God is going with you! He will fight for you against your enemies, and He will give you victory!"

Prayer:

Father,

         Thank You for the battle plan that will bring us to ultimate victory. Help us to hear only Your voice and not be swayed by the sight and sounds of the battles. In Jesus' Name we pray. Amen