A New Battle

A NEW BATTLE The bullies used to bother me when I was just a boy, They taunted me and beat me up--it must have brought them joy. Some people wanted me to learn to stand and fight them back, But others said, “Just walk away when they start to attack.” And so as I grew up I found I didn’t like to fight, If I got into one, I’d kick or pinch or sometimes bite! And even during Army days when self defense they taught, I wasn’t one who liked it much, nor the challenges it brought. But all those years an enemy much greater than a man Was fighting in my inner soul with his own battle plan. I let him win so often then since I didn’t like to fight, And so I did so many things that simply were not right. Then in defeat I came to God for help to win the war, I thought that when He came inside the battle would be o’er. But soon I learned that I would face this battle even worse Because the Lord had saved me from the devil’s dreadful curse. I still today don’t like to fight, and still I often pray That God will free me from the war that I fight every day. I realize, though, that though I hate the weapons or the fists, There still are weapons I must use if Satan I’d resist. The weapons are not guns or tanks or noisy bombs I heard: My weapon now is just one sword--the power of God’s word. The uniform I wear is truth and righteousness and peace, Protected by the shield of faith against the darts released. The helmet of salvation and a daily life of prayer-- These are the things that God gave me to win in my warfare. So though I may not like to fight, in this one I must stay, And I know I’ll have victory when I meet Him some day. The battle will be over then, I’ll lay my weapons down, Exchanging war for eternal bliss, a mansion, robe, and crown.