Part #4...The Beast Within...

One of the most treacherous pieces of roadway in America is a stretch of interstate from Flagstaff to Phoenix, Arizona. Flagstaff itself, is located just off the southern rim of the Grand Canyon, which means the elevation is tremendous. This interstate, termed the ‘Black Canyon Freeway’, takes one from the highest elevations of the ominous canyon, down and around the mountains at grades almost unbelievable and, if you haven’t driven it yourself, it’s absolutely indescribable, into the majestic sands of the desert below...down into the valley of the sun. I’ve navigated this piece of highway on numerous occasions, and, even in the best of conditions, looms as a worthy adversary. Arrayed in the beauty of the mountains with it’s snow-covered peaks, towering pines and plush valleys, one has to look deep within the landscape…past the outer covering, to realize that something greater…more powerful, lies within.

So it was with this boy named David.

Beyond the simplicity…beyond the passion to serve, was a waiting warrior destined for greatness. A warrior whose spirit…whose courage was forged with an invincible armor. A warrior who knew no fear simply because the God he served was his protector…and he knew it. If only we could grasp this shroud of invincibility that covers a Christian’s very soul, then lives would be altered and kingdoms would be changed for eternity. We would soon realize that we are not POW’s of this world but instead champions for Christ that are willed to crash the very gates of hell whose sole purpose is to kill and to destroy. We are in a battle of biblical proportion. There is a massive call to arms that’s being screamed from our Commander-in-Chief, and it’s past time for us to lace up our boots, reach down deep into the depths of our soul and release this beast…release this warrior into the battleground that surrounds us.

Time and time again, we encounter giants of every shape, form and fashion that’s determined to bring about death and destruction into every nook and crevice around us. When we least expect it, we’re faced with such insurmountable odds that we cower with fear and tremble in the shadows that encase us. Yet, all the while, the warrior waits…

Who really knew what the real David looked like. Who knew that this young man who spent more time in his father’s fields than he did at his father’s table was a champion in the making. Who knew that inside this ruddy, teenage boy was a beast waiting to be unleashed. Who knew…David knew…God knew. David had the hand of God upon him…that, he also knew. He was invincible…he knew the God he served, the God of Israel, was unconquerable. What about us…what about me…

As the dawn breaks anew each day on the Black Canyon, all of nature’s best awakens to reveal it’s magnificent splendor. All is calm, it seems… As we wake each morning to face our day, and the person in the mirror stares back, the warrior inside waits…and all of hell trembles at the thought of it being unleashed…