The Long Battle

         The Long Battle (Sonnet 48)
A battle fierce portrays the Christian life;
It’s muddy, nasty, hard, and ugly, too.
Exhausting, daunting, unrelenting strife
Is marked by blood and dirt unfeigned and true.
A focused effort’s always in demand.
There is no rest; the fighting is profuse.
Day after day, defeat seems close at hand.
Discouragement proclaims, “It is no use.”
Days don’t show progress taken one by one,
Yet each is working in the grander scheme.
The triumph sure will come when battle’s done;
There will be peace and sunlight’s golden gleam.
“Stand strong, fight on,” we hear our Captain ask;
“My armor will be equal to the task.”

The battle must be faced with God's truth. No matter how difficult, prolonged, or hopeless the battle may seem, God's Word has the answer. The key is to keep the truth of the Bible ready and close at hand.

It is not difficult to compile a list of verses particularly suited for temptations. Many verses are so familiar that the believer needs only to focus his mind for a few moments, and he will remember verses regarding particular topics. A concordance or study Bible can also provide a quick list of pertinent verses. Friends, family, or spiritual leaders can suggest verses. Many online resources are also available to direct readers to verses on particular subjects.

Memorizing selected verses is a great way to have the right weapon ready. When verses are committed to memory ahead of time, the Holy Spirit can bring them to mind in the time of need. When faced with the temptation, the believer also has a great opportunity to choose an appropriate verse and commit it to memory. The memorization must be more than merely parroting the words, however. The verse will be effective in the believer's heart when he has taken the time to thoughtfully consider the verse and understand its meaning.

Posting verses in a prominent place is another good method. This practice does not require creativity or artistic ability. A plain old pen and a simple three-by-five card will do the trick. The verse card can then be posted on the mirror or the kitchen sink, carried in the pocket, or placed in the front of a Bible. It can be inserted into the clear pocket on the front of a notebook or propped against the computer screen. The idea is to have the verse in a visible place where it can be seen easily and often throughout the day.

In particularly trying times or in seasons of sustained attack, a compilation of verses can surpass a single card. The believer can systematically write down special and appropriate verses that come his way throughout the course of the temptation. Some he will read in his own quiet time, some will be shared by friends, while still others will be from church services or books. This gradually growing collection of verses highlights the preponderance of support from the Bible. The variety allows different verses to be helpful on different days.

This assortment of cards can be placed on a ring, and the believer can flip through them, seeing verse after verse to help in his current situation. Perhaps certain verses will be favorites, but each one can contribute to gaining the victory. In the quest to deeply understand the truth of the verses and mine out their true value, the Christian may find it helpful to underline or circle certain words. He can draw lines or arrows to connect parts of the verse and can jot down notes of explanation and insight. This meditation makes the verse into a reassuring and well-suited weapon that is primed for the attack.

Whatever the particular method used, the believer under attack must return frequently to the Bible. He must remember its truth and trust the God of the truth. With the Bible as his powerful weapon, the temptation can be conquered and victory can be achieved.

"Your word I have treasured in my heart, that I may not sin against You." Psalm 119:11 (NASB)