It cannot be stated too frequently that the life of a Christian is a warfare, an intense conflict, a lifelong contest. It is a battle, moreover, waged against invisible foes, who are ever alert, and ever seeking to entrap, deceive, and ruin the souls of men. The life to which Holy Scripture calls men is no picnic, or holiday junketing. It is no pastime, no pleasure jaunt. It entails effort, wrestling, struggling; it demands the putting forth of the full energy of the spirit in order to frustrate the foe and to come off, at the last, more than conqueror. It is no primrose path, no rose-scented dalliance. From start to finish, it is war. From the hour in which he first draws sword, to that in which he doffs his harness, the Christian warrior is compelled to “endure hardness like a good soldier.”
~EM Bounds
In the third year of Cyrus king of Persia a word was revealed to Daniel, who was named Belteshazzar. And the word was true, and it was a great conflict. And he understood the word and had understanding of the vision… In those days I, Daniel, was mourning for three weeks. I ate no delicacies, no meat or wine entered my mouth, nor did I anoint myself at all, for the full three weeks. On the twenty-fourth day of the first month, as I was standing on the bank of the great river (that is, the Tigris) I lifted up my eyes and looked, and behold, a man clothed in linen, with a belt of fine gold from Uphaz around his waist. His body was like beryl, his face like the appearance of lightning, his eyes like flaming torches, his arms and legs like the gleam of burnished bronze, and the sound of his words like the sound of a multitude. And I, Daniel, alone saw the vision, for the men who were with me did not see the vision, but a great trembling fell upon them, and they fled to hide themselves. So I was left alone and saw this great vision, and no strength was left in me. My radiant appearance was fearfully changed, and I retained no strength. Then I heard the sound of his words, and as I heard the sound of his words, I fell on my face in deep sleep with my face to the ground… And behold, a hand touched me and set me trembling on my hands and knees. And he said to me, “O Daniel, man greatly loved, understand the words that I speak to you, and stand upright, for now I have been sent to you.” And when he had spoken this word to me, I stood up trembling. Then he said to me, “Fear not, Daniel, for from the first day that you set your heart to understand and humbled yourself before your God, your words have been heard, and I have come because of your words. The prince of the kingdom of Persia withstood me twenty-one days, but Michael, one of the chief princes, came to help me, for I was left there with the kings of Persia, and came to make you understand what is to happen to your people in the latter days. For the vision is for days yet to come.” … When he had spoken to me according to these words, I turned my face toward the ground and was mute. And behold, one in the likeness of the children of man touched my lips. Then I opened my mouth and spoke. I said to him who stood before me, “O my lord, by reason of the vision pains have come upon me, and I retain no strength. How can my lord’s servant talk with my lord? For now no strength remains in me, and no breath is left in me.” … Again one having the appearance of a man touched me and strengthened me. And he said, “O man greatly loved, fear not, peace be with you; be strong and of good courage.” And as he spoke to me, I was strengthened and said, “Let my lord speak, for you have strengthened me.” Then he said, “Do you know why I have come to you? But now I will return to fight against the prince of Persia; and when I go out, behold, the prince of Greece will come. But I will tell you what is inscribed in the book of truth: there is none who contends by my side against these except Michael, your prince.
~ from Daniel 10
Oh beloved, it is true.
We are in a battle. We have no idea, yet, how important this conflict is. And, the battle is not visible to those of us without eyes to see. Yet, on it goes. The stakes of the outcome being well beyond our current ability to imagine.
The strategy of the enemy is simple to figure out: Separate and destroy. Be clear about this. This is the entire strategy that the liar is using to try and defeat us. But, the tactics are often exceedingly difficult for us to comprehend and combat.
So, before even going any further, let our strategy be the opposite: Draw near and be victorious.
Now, onward.
In this plane, in the place where we inhabit the four dimensions of time and space, there are many things that wear on us. Our bodies get sick. Politics drives people apart. Finances are a drag. Situation upon situation sets us up for failure.
Then, in our mind, we are constantly setting and entering into traps that we set for ourselves. We think of what could have been. We wonder whether we are accepted. We worry about a future over which we have no control.
And, while the evil one can and does, interfere in places like circumstances and politics and our thoughts, it is further in towards the soulish and spirit part of us that the harshest part of the clash, and the most insidious weaponry is used.
Emotional pain
Searing senses of loss
Deep feelings of distrust
Horrendous senses of disconnection
And, the dread thought that we are not accepted
All of this, the physical, the mental, the soulic, and the spiritual combine to hammer us. The idea is to create some sort of wedge and drive us apart. The deeper the wedge can start, the further damage it can cause to our true identity in Christ.
Can we see it?
Read the passage again. Yes, Daniel was going through tremendous battle. And, it will always be true that great victories are preceded by terrible struggles. But, to struggle in the wrong direction, or with the wrong weapons will only serve for us to squirm and move in such a way that the wedges of the evil one can drive deeper into us.
Daniel, though, had the ultimate weapon. And it was glorious. Daniel was “greatly Loved” by G_d.
Now, it is important to understand something. Because, we usually don’t understand. Words mean something in His Word. And it is often important for us to go back to what the words meant when they were said, rather than how we use them now. The word for “greatly Loved” is to be understood as that Daniel was highly esteemed, treasured, and greatly desirable to G_d.
Glory to, means something, and so I use it carefully. Glory is not just something famous or bright. Glory is a pressure wave. Glory is a weight, pressing in on us. And this is why the weaponry that we have in spiritual battle is so powerful. We have exactly the same status as the ancient prophet.
Except now, the weapon is even more powerful.
Daniel was a guy who had honestly set his heart towards serving G_d. And this had moved the heart of the Heavenly Father to show great favor to this servant. However, now, believers are actually indwelt by the Spirit of the Son of this same Father. We are indwelt by the very Object of the Father’s unchanging, glorious and overwhelming Love.
And this changes everything. This overwhelms any chance of final victory by the one already defeated at Calvary two thousand years ago. Glorious!
So, are you in the midst of the battle too? Have no doubt that there will be struggles. Have no doubt that the evil one will do everything in his power to drive a wedge between you and G_d. But, beyond all of this, be gloriously certain that he is going to fail. You are greatly Loved by G_d. You are indwelt by Love Himself. You and He are both now highly esteemed by the very Maker of existence.
Tonight is your night. Time to start enjoying the battle.
We have within us deeply rooted weaknesses, passions, and defects. This can not all be cut out with one sharp motion, but patience, persistence, care and attention. The path leading to perfection is long. Pray to God so that he will strengthen you. Patiently accept your falls and, having stood up, immediately run to God, not remaining in that place where you have fallen. Do not despair if you keep falling into your old sins. Many of them are strong because they have received the force of habit. Only with the passage of time and with fervor will they be conquered. Don’t let anything deprive you of hope.
~St. Nectarios of Aegina, Path to Happiness, 3
