* I wrote this back in April 2018, eight years ago. I am once
again currently teaching this book to my middle school students, so I decided to pull this “out of the archives.”
The classic novel The
Hobbit is about a fictional creature named Bilbo Baggins who goes on
an adventure to help reclaim a treasure from an evil dragon. He is a very
hesitant member of a party of fourteen on a journey that proves very
treacherous and challenging. Throughout the journey, as he encounters trolls, wolves,
and giant spiders, Bilbo often longs for his comfortable chair back home and a
nice meal. The group finally makes it to the Lonely Mountain, the home of the
dragon and the immense treasure, and after seeing proof of the treasure there,
they excitedly talk about all the gold and jewels. However, the excitement is
short-lived as they remember the dragon guarding the treasure. The author
Tolkien comments, “It does not do to leave a live dragon out of your
calculations, if you live near him.”
As I am teaching this book to my 7th and
8th grade English class, I am finding that I am very much like
Bilbo Baggins. I like comfort; I’d prefer to stay home and not engage in any
adventure that could be frightening. Yet this is where The Hobbit ties
in to real life and what the Lord has been teaching me lately. (You’ve been
wondering where this is going, right?)
There is a battle raging. There is
a dragon afoot. And I can’t stay in the
comfort of my couch and a warm meal, oblivious to the battle or pretending it
doesn’t exist. I have been reminded of this as I, along with many women at
Grace, am participating in the Bible study on the Armor of God. In this study,
Priscilla Shirer is challenging us to open our eyes to the battle, to be on the
alert, and to be prepared against the enemy’s attacks. The study centers on
Ephesians 6 where the Bible tells us about this battle that we are in, against
whom we are fighting, and what we should do about it.
“Put on the whole armor of God,
that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil. For we do not
wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the
authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the
spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places.” (vs. 11-12)
This is battle language; Paul is
warning all believers to stand firm and stay on the alert, realizing that our
enemy, though unseen, is very real. This enemy is Satan, along with a host of
evil followers. Of the three enemies the Bible tells us about (Satan, the
world, and our flesh), Satan is the one I overlook in my personal life. I’m
very aware of the sin I battle in the flesh as well as the world’s temptations,
but I do not stay on the alert against Satan’s tactics. Yet I Peter
tells us that he “prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to
devour.” This is serious. Tolkien’s statement above applies well here: “It
does not do to leave a live dragon out of your calculations, if you live near
him.”
Recently I was talking to Kelly
about some fears I’d been dealing with in my mind that had really overwhelmed
me. He gently said, “Amy, that is not God’s voice. That is the enemy; he knows
where you’re weak and is attacking you in that area.” Wow; that gave me
perspective. I didn’t have to listen to those feelings or fears; I had to fight
against them with the truth of God’s Word. Up to that point, I hadn’t seen it
as a spiritual attack. Yet, I believe that is what it was. The spiritual forces
of evil were battling for my mind, my thoughts, trying to get me to take my
eyes off God. We must be on the alert.
Yet, sisters, here is the good news
- the best news. God has already won this battle! The dragon knows he will not
win. He will be defeated. And in the meantime, as we live in this fallen world
and must fight against Satan and his spiritual forces, God has given us armor
that works. We too can be victorious! May we be on the alert, arm ourselves for
battle, and keep our eyes fixed on the One who always leads us triumphantly in
Him.
-- Amy O’Rear
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