Friday, 14 February 2020

Stand

Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places. Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand. – Ephesians 6.11-13

I am finally watching the series ‘Band of Brothers’ on DVD. I can see why it is so highly acclaimed. It is well written and well acted and tells an amazing story of Easy Company who landed in Normandy on D-Day.

A few days ago I watched the episode on the Battle of Bastogne. The company was great outnumbered. All five roads to the town were blocked. The Germans had them totally surrounded and there was not hope of resupply or reinforcement. They were battered by artillery shells day and night. The Ardennes forest  was ripped to shreds by the constant cannon fire. I was especially interested because Beth and Ronnie had taken us there a few years ago. We had seen the town and the foxholes and the bunkers.

Anyway, E-Company was is desperate shape. Their orders were simple – hang on and fight. There was no hope of advancing, much less winning. All they could do was to hold on until help arrived.

 Our Christian walk at times can be like that. We can’t move forward. Out strength is gone and we can feel like we too weak to carry on. We sometimes can only put on the  whole armour of God and hold on.

That’s not a bad thing though. It kind of reminds me of God’s call to Jeremiah when God told him that he would make him like an iron pillar and give him a strong wall and provide protection for Jeremiah and how by standing one day he’d be able to tear down the enemies strongholds.

But we must stand. We can’t waver. We can’t run. We can’t give up. At one point the German commander sent a message telling Easy Company that their fight was hopeless and they should surrender. The reply, a bit coarse of course, was simply ‘Nuts.’

Eventually relief came and the battle was won. One day Jesus will return and our battle will be won – until then – stand therefore.

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