This morning I read from the Max Lucado book, "Six Hours One Friday." Lucado, ever the masterful storyteller, paints this picture of sin's earthly debut:
"It came camouflaged. It came in a golden cup with a long stem. It was in the flavor of fruit. It came not in the hands of the king, but the hands of a prince-the prince of shadows. Until this moment there had been no reason to hide in the Garden. The King walked with his children and the children new their King. There were no secrets. There were no shadows.
Then the prince of shadows entered the Garden. He had to hide himself. He was too ugly, too repulsive. Craters marred his face. So he came in darkness. He came encircled in ebony. He was completely hidden; only hi voice could be heard.
'Taste it,' he whispered, holding the goblet before her. 'It's sweet with wisdom.'
The daughter heard the voice and turned. She was intrigued. Her eyes had never seen a shadow. There was something tantalizing about his hiddenness.
The King watched. His army knew the prince of shadows would be no contest for their mighty legion. Eagerly they awaited the command to attack.
But no command was given.
'The choice is hers,' the King instructed. 'If she turns to us for help, that is your command to deliver her. If she doesn't turn, if she doesn't look to Me-don't. The choice is hers.'"
...I will leave the rest of the story for you to read yourself, but the point I want to emphasize is at the end, when the zooms out of that scene in the garden, and focuses on the heavenly realms. There is, most definitely, an unseen army that stands at the ready to intercede and go to battle for us against the evil that tries to overcome us. How seldom we employ this 'legion.'
"...the One who is in you is greater than the one who is in the world." 1 John 4:4
"For though we live in the world, we do not wage war as the world does. The weapons we fight with are not the weapons of the world. On the contrary, they have divine power to demolish strongholds." 1 Corinthians 10:3-4
"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." Ephesians 6:12
All we need to do is turn to Him in our hour of struggle. Just say the word, and our Lord is swift to come to our rescue.
"No temptation has seized you except that which is common to man. And God is faithful, He will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, He will also provide a way out so that you can stand up under it." 1 Corinthians 10:13
Next time you hear the hissing voice of the shadow, be slow to react. Don't take another step before you seek the discernement of the Lord, no matter how sweet and fruitful the fragrance is of what's being offered. And do not forget, His great and powerful army stands ready, mounted on their horses, swords drawn, all you need to do is say the words, "Lord, help me" and you will be saved. How it could have saved Eve! But always, the choice is yours...
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