Thunder Clap
Imagine an epic, ancient battleground. The sky yawns endlessly above the sunken valley; forces assemble on opposite sides as regiment after standard-bearing regiment take their places.
The two armies face each other; ten thousands upon ten thousands stand under their king’s banner. Shrieks and battle cries go up from enemy ranks across every division at different times, riling the dark warriors. A loud swell erupts across the entire corps and then fades, tapering off after a bit.
The other army stands solemn, silent and still.
From out of nowhere a drum echoes across the valley. Two slow beats.
Ten thousands of pairs of hands clap in unison, a deafening thunder clap.
Silence.
Again two slow beats. CLAP! answers. Then silence.
The ultimate viking war chant strikes terror into the hearts of their enemies.
Warriors from the other side glance about, looking from side to side, gripping their weapons and shields. Whispers run like electricity.
The drum beats twice, a little faster. CLAP! answers immediately. Then silence.
Never before has there been such unity and focus. The enemy force shifts nervously. There is uncertainty among the soldiers. Many break rank and flee not wanting to test the strength of this disciplined mass.
They can smell defeat and are deathly afraid.
The beats get faster, the answering claps louder and louder until the General cries in Icelandic, “Farðu núna! Árás!” (“Go now! Attack!”) They immediately rush to overtake the enemy at the sound of their commander, slaughtering the enemy all the way out of the valley as they run away. No matter how tricky the enemy has been, they are cowards when confronted directly in the strength of these warriors.
Victory is inevitable.
What if the church could go out with such unity against the forces of evil with a battle cry as to make the devil quake in his skin? It can happen but it requires powerful, irresistible unity that comes when we are rooted in the perfect balance of Truth in God’s Word with the Love of Jesus Christ.
Truth / Love = Powerful, Irresistible Unity
“And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity.” (Colossians 3:14)
“Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace.”
(Ephesians 4:3)
For more posts like this, read Set Apart, Stains&Chains, Many Flavors, Death Clock, From The Mouths of (My) Babes.
