Quite impressive for a farmer with a pitchfork, wouldn’t you say?
Col. William Tavington
The Patriot (2000)
Benjamin Martin fights for his family in The Patriot. A vengeful British colonel shoves Martin into the conflict by capturing one son and killing another. He, and two other sons, chase down and rescue the eldest son in a horrific and bloody show of force and cunning.
I thought of this scene when I read Genesis 14 and 15 this morning.
War brewed among nine kings. Four kings’ armies took on the other five kings’ armies and conquered ground, cattle, and prisoners leaving behind a wake of crimson sand. The quad-king coalition captured Lot, Abram’s cousin, and hauled him off with his family and livestock.
Abram heard the news from someone who escaped the massacre. So he grabbed 318 trained men and headed off to bring back his cousin. In the afterglow of victory and success, the king of Sodom (where Lot had been living) came to meet him. Another king, a priest of the High God, came, too, and blessed Abram. He was offered riches and prestige. Abram shrugged them off like a feather from his shoulder choosing instead the pleasure of the Lord.
I’ve heard men talk of the let down after battle. The adrenaline bleeds off and they are left with doubts and critiques of their actions. I believe Abram must have had a let down after the great moment in front of the two kings. In the next recorded scene of his life:
After these things the word of the Lord came to Abram in a vision, saying,
“Do not fear, Abram,
I am a shield to you;
Your reward shall be very great.”
Genesis 15:1 NIV
He responds with doubt. After the first expression of doubt, the Lord comforts Abram and casts a vision for his future. The Bible then records this incredible statement about Abram:
And he believed the Lord, and He counted it to him as righteousness.
Genesis 15:6 ESV
God is obviously walking with this man. A military victory with a personal reward. Promises from God. What comforts me most comes next. Abram expressed more doubt, unbelief, and fear. So the Lord makes a covenant with him. “Do not fear” wasn’t enough for Abram. “I know your future” didn’t take away his night terrors. So God makes a “promise He can’t break” on behalf of Abram and his descendents.
So here I am in my fear. I am aware of the promises of God. I am aware of the numerous times he says, “Do not be afraid.” I am a child of the new covenant—God the Father broke His only son for my sin. He bled and died for me. I am grateful for Abram’s fears. They comfort me in mine. God’s response to Abram comforts me even more.
I thought of another scene from The Patriot as I read about God’s covenant with Abram. Gabriel Martin travels from town to town to recruit militia to join the fight for independence. On a bright, clear morning, Gabriel rides into a hamlet during a funeral. Several townspeople were hanged by the British. Gabriel interrupts the funeral to make his plea. His friend Anne adds her passion to Gabriel’s request. As John Williams’ stirring score crescendos, a man stands. We never learn his name or his fate. We don’t see him fight. But he stands. Each day when the alarm erupts, I hope I have the courage to answer God’s passionate cry to leave my fear behind and press into the battle of the day. (Watch from 6:37 in the clip below; I know. The creator didn’t fix the aspect ratio)
POSTSCRIPT
While I’ve been meditating on these scriptures, I’ve been listening to New Release Tuesday’s preview of Amy Grant’s new record, “Somewhere Down the Road” (temporary link). She has recorded a new version of “Arms of Love.” While I typed these words about fear, this new arrangement came on. The lyrics struck me like a flying side kick to the chest from my black belt son. When I was a teenager, this song was part of my nightly ritual. I used to tell my parents goodnight, go downstairs, turn out the lights, cue up the last track of side 2 of the LP “Age to Age”, don my headphones, and listen to the piano only accompaniment and honest lyrics. (Listen to original version here.)Perhaps I should start the ritual again.
“Arms of Love”
Words and music by Gary Chapman, Michael W. Smith, Amy Grant
©1983 MEADOWGREEN MUSIC COMPANY C/O BIRDWING MUSIC/WORD MUSIC LLC C/O WARNER CHAPPELL MUSIC INC
Lord, I’m really glad you’re here
Hope You feel the same
When You see all my fear
And how I fail
I fall sometimes
It’s hard to walk in shifting sand
I miss the rock and find
I’ve nowhere left to stand
I start to cry
Lord, please help me
Raise my hand, so You can pick me up
Hold me close, hold me tighter
I have found a place where I can hide
It’s safe inside
Your arms of love
Like a child who’s held throughout a storm
You keep me warm
In Your arms of love
Storms will come and storms will go
Wonder just how many storms
It takes until I finally know
You’re here always
Even when my skies are far from gray,
I can stay
Teach me to stay there
In the place I’ve found where I can hide
It’s safe inside
Your arms of love
Like a child who’s held throughout a storm
You keep me warm
In Your arms of love
