The Sound Of Battle

We went to the 1996 Olympics in Atlanta.
Our fifth child was born in November, 1995.
She was only eight months old when all seven of us drove to Georgia in our minivan.
Our little girl spent the entire week in a carrier on my husband’s back.

Since my husband went to Georgia Tech for his undergraduate degree, Atlanta was familiar.
Georgia Tech happened to be where the Olympic Village was located.
Georgia Tech alumni had many special privileges, which we enjoyed.
An exact replica of the torch was there and each of my older children got to hold it.

We saw field hockey, men and women’s basketball, and a baseball game.
It was the soccer game that was quite interesting.
We had to drive a bit to get to that location.
The teams playing that evening were Nigeria and Mexico.

Nigeria won that game 2-0.
Nigeria also happened to win the gold medal that year.
My boys were excited to think that they watched the team that went on to win the gold.
I do not remember much about the game itself but I do remember the horns.

The horn that creates a bee-like sound.
The horn that produces a b-flat note.
The horn that resembles the sound of an elephant.
The horn that is deafening and distracting when its sound fills a stadium.

There are many stories with regard to the origin of this particular horn.
The vuvuzela horn is thought to have been derived from the kudu.
The kudu is an African instrument made from the horn of an antelope of the same name.
The kudu horn traditionally summoned African tribal members to gatherings.

Petitions have been signed to ban the use of the vuvuzela horn during games.
When games are televised, the horn drowns out the commentators and the cheering fans.
Health concerns are also behind the ban.
The sound of the vuvuzela horn can cause permanent ear damage.

I remember the sound of that horn as it filled the stadium.
Even though it was terribly loud, there were no vuvuzela horns directly near us.
I was grateful because of my children, particularly my youngest daughter.
Even in the parking lot, the sound of the vuvuzela horns could be heard.

We have all been to stadiums when a megaphone is used.
Usually the cheerleaders will use a megaphone to call out a particular cheer.
The megaphone is a cone-shaped device that is used to intensify or direct the voice.
The cheerleader faces a section of the bleachers to project their voice clearly.

The sound of the vuvuzela horn and the megaphone can grate on your nerves after a while.
The horn, with its monotonous tone, drones on and on.
It is never pleasant to have someone yelling through a megaphone in your direction.
The field or the stadium are not the only places where incessant noise can be heard.

We all know the megaphone that speaks into our hearts and minds.
The megaphone that tells us that we are not good enough.
The vuvuzela horn that drones on and on telling us that we are not beautiful enough.
The monotonous tone that reminds us over and over that we are not worth it.

The problem is, instead of being annoyed at the inner megaphone or vuvuzela horn, we listen.
We believe the lies that drone on and on inside our mind and our heart.
We look around and compare; we look inside and regret.
We fail to look up.

The enemy of our souls enjoys the drone.
He is the master of the destructive voice that taunts and demeans.
He is loud and direct in his attacks.
He is obnoxious, annoying, and he damages the well-being of our soul.

Instead of refusing to listen to his lies, we pay attention.
Instead of tuning him out, we replay it in our minds.
Instead of walking away, we engage.
Instead of looking up, we look down in despair and hopelessness.

Be self-controlled and alert. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. (1 Peter 5:8)

Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. Come near to God and He will come near to you. (James 4:7,8)

The enemy of our souls has his own vuvuzela horn and megaphone.
He knows exactly where to direct his accusations.
He knows our breaking point.
He knows when the sound of his insidious lies are too much for us.

We feel defeated.
We feel alone.
We feel worthless.
We feel insignificant.

Feelings are deceitful; they cannot be trusted.
We need to hang on to Truth like a life preserver.
We must cling to Truth with every ounce of our strength.
We need help to hold on.

Jesus was tempted by Satan in the desert.
Jesus was able to withstand those temptations for one reason alone.
Jesus quoted Scripture to the devil every time a temptation was thrown at Him.
Jesus used the Word of God as His Sword to combat the enemy.

Jesus, the Son of God, the Word, used God’s Word as a weapon against Satan.
When God’s Word is what we stand upon, God’s Truth will set us free.
The devil cannot stand the Word of God and will run from it at every turn.
The Truth will reset our focus and will remind us of our victory in Christ.

Satan is the enemy of our souls but he is a defeated enemy.
Satan’s continuous accusations have no power or control over us.
Satan cowers in the corner at the mere whisper of God’s Word.
To Satan, God’s Word is a vuvuzela horn or a megaphone, neither of which he can stand.

We need to listen to the right Voice inside our head and our heart.
We need to listen to the Voice that tells us we are loved.
We are loved so much that God gave His one and only Son.
Whoever believes in Him will not perish but have everlasting life. (John 3:16)

I am fearfully and wonderfully made. (Psalm 139:14)
I am engraved on the palms of His hand. (Isaiah 49:16)
I was known before I was formed in the womb. (Jeremiah 1:5)
God has plans for me, plans to give me a hope and a future. (Jeremiah 29:11)

Look up.
Listen to the quiet whisper of His Voice speaking to your heart.
Disregard the lies the enemy is aiming in your direction.
Ignore the obnoxious lies with which the enemy incessantly tries to beat you down.

You have a Sword to fight the enemy of your soul.
You have a Sword that will point you to Truth.
You are a mighty warrior when that Sword is in your hands.
The Sword of the Spirit, the Word of God, is right at your fingertips.

The accusations are just noise.
They are just obnoxious, lying noise.
Tune them out.
Tell the devil to flee.

He must.
You are holding the Sword after all.

 

2 responses to “The Sound Of Battle”

1. This message is extremely powerful and intense! I thank you for this encouraging Word of The Lord! Continue to share with the world what God has placed in your heart! This is outstanding! Thank you again!

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   • Felicia,
     Thank you, sweet friend! As long as God continues to give me ideas, I will keep writing. To God be the glory!
     Gina

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