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This Day We Fight!
“Hold your ground, hold your ground! ...my brothers! I see in your eyes the same fear that would take the heart of me. A day may come when the courage of men fails, when we forsake our friends and break all bonds of fellowship, but it is not this day. An hour of woes and shattered shields, when the age of men comes crashing down! But it is not this day! This day we fight!”
(This is my all-time favorite movie scene. It is spoken as the hero and his small army faces a mass of enemies too large to count.)
I recently returned after several years, to a camp meeting that I attended as a child. When I was younger it thrived, and my experiences there had a great positive impact on me. In recent years, the attendance has dwindled, leaving a bleak outlook for the future of the camp. Those that remain seem to be focused mostly on reminiscing about the old days, and mourning the sad spiritual state our country is in. I sensed a feeling of despair as I listened.
Then I thought of I Kings chapter 19 when Elijah was despairing, convinced that all of Israel had forsaken God. We soon learn that even in this dark time, God had a plan and a task for Elijah. We also learn that He had preserved 7,000 Israelites who had not bowed and worshiped false gods.
We are in the middle of a great Spiritual battle, a battle of worldviews. A godless, morally corrupt ideology has invaded our society, even our churches. Like a massive black cloud it hangs over us, threatening the very foundation of our country. But, no matter how bleak things appear; no matter how hopeless the battle seams, we must never despair. God has an active plan that He is working, and we are a part of that. There are many who have made the decision to bear the truth of God’s Word into a head long charge against this enemy – we must join the charge. Though the odds may seem overwhelming, God is working. Sometimes He’s out of view, behind the enemy’s front lines.
I think our attitude should be like the hero’s.
“There may be a day when God’s people’s courage fails, but it is not this day, this day we fight!
5 comments
It's very sad to me because I have so many memories there. I even miss the smell of the food cooking, and just being surrounded by the beautiful nature that God provided. I miss friends that I made there. But as I'm getting older, everything, I MEAN EVERYTHING seems to be changing. Some good, some bad.
I find myself thinking almost every day about how Christmases will never be the same or even close, without our grandparents. But that's why I'm so glad that you and Sarah live closer. We can all get together for the holidays and weekends. I just want us all to remain close and make new memories.
I appreciate your thoughts on this post. I think you may misunderstand my reason for using this line. I am not claiming that the Lord of the Rings is all about Christianity. I am merely pointing out that the hero's attitude is one that would benefit Christians greatly. This point could be made regardless of the religious affiliation of the author. That being said, even though this line (to my knowledge) does not appear in the original books, If one considers Tolken's association with Christianity, I think that any person would have a difficult time separating the themes of the Lord of the Rings completely from Christianity.
I am interested also in your use of the term "your God." Do you have a different deity that would be a better fit with this particular piece of literature?
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