Archive for July, 2010
July 5th, 2010 | 
Author: Song to listen to: “Glory of Love” by Peter Cetera, David Foster, & Diane Nini
In honor of the release of the new “Karate Kid” movie (I’m not sure how I feel about that…but hey—they remake everything at some point), I thought I would bring back an oldie but goodie that has been a favorite devotional song for me since…well, since the first “Karate Kid II” came out. As an interesting side note, the song was originally recorded for inclusion in the soundtrack for Rocky IV, but was passed up. It was instead added to the soundtrack for Karate Kid II.
I have always looked at God as my knight in shining armor, my hero, my rescuer, my prince. He has always been by my side—by day or by night, in peace or in battle, in joy or in sorrow. When I look at these lyrics, I see a conversation, a promise between my beloved Yahweh and His beloved bride—and to me personally. (Read any part of the Song of Solomon and more in Revelation to see an analogy of God’s relationship with the church, His bride.)
I have divided up the lyrics in the way that I imagine God and I sharing this song together, but please read the words and let it minister to you as God shows you personally.
God: Tonight it’s very clear
As we’re both lying here
There’s so many things I want to say
I will always love you
I would never leave you alone…
Time and time again in God’s love letter to us (His Word) He promises never to leave us or forsake us. (Deut. 31:6, 8, Joshua 1:5, Hebrews 13:5). In fact, in the Hebrews passage, the original Greek is almost impossible to translate due to the fact that it is so strong, so emphatic that it contains a triple negative insisting that God will never leave us! He loves us and has so much to say to us that He gave us an entire book of stories, poems, songs and covenant promises to show us His devotion and faithfulness. How great, how beloved a God we have!
Me: Sometimes I just forget
Say things I might regret
God: It breaks my heart to see you crying
Me: I don’t wanna lose you
I could never make it alone…
How many times have I stuck my foot in it? How many times have I failed by my words and deeds? I can remember so many times I sat alone, tears pouring down my face, as I contemplated my regrets and the hurt I have caused myself and more importantly, my Best Friend, the God I love. I felt so dirty and unworthy, and…alone. I knew without a shadow of a doubt that His heart was broken too—not only because of my sin, but my tears and sorrow as well. My pain was His pain, and He wanted nothing more than to breech that gap with His love.
God: I am the man who will fight for your honor
I’ll be the hero you’re dreaming of
We’ll live forever
Knowing together that we
Did it all for the glory of love
There is just something so appealing, even to the strongest of women to have a man fight for your honor! I have a painting in my living room that shows an elegant medieval maiden tying a delicate strip of cloth, her favor, on a noble knight’s arm. I can envision him riding proudly out to meet his foe, glancing at the streaming white token of his lady embellishing his hard armor. He knows it is his job to protect her, to defend her honor, to love and treasure her heart. He wants to be her hero. Dear ones, this is a perfect picture of or Savior. He is geared up in His armor, with your token bound to His arm—ready to fight all who impute your honor.
“The LORD will fight for you; you need only to be still.” Exodus 14:14
Me: You keep me standing tall
You help me through it all
I’m always strong when you’re beside me
I have always needed you
I could never make it alone…
The Enemy longs for us to believe the lies he perpetuates. “You are unworthy of love. You are worthless and damaged. You are not good enough. You will NEVER be good enough!” Don’t believe his destructive lies! God loves us HOW we are and WHERE we are. He knows we are not perfect. He knows we have a long way to go. But He also knows that His love will be the catalyst that causes change. Don’t let the enemy (or people) tell you otherwise. Keep standing tall, strong and confident. You are not alone. He is right there beside you.
God: Just like a knight in shining armor
From a long time ago
Just in time I will save the day
Take you to my castle far away
I am the man who will fight for your honor
I’ll be the hero that you’re dreaming of
We’re gonna live forever
Knowing together that we
Did it all for the glory of love
We did it all for love
Is there a little girl out there who doesn’t dream of her knight in shining armor? A precious daughter who longs for her hero to come to her rescue? Her fairy tale come true? “I saw heaven standing open and there before me was a white horse, whose rider is called Faithful and True.” –Rev. 19:11a
Although there are mortal men out there who fill the role nicely, there will never be a more steadfast and loyal knight than God Almighty, the King of Kings. He desires to be everything to us, our hero, our deliverer, our savior, and He has fought and continues to fight daily for our honor. In His promising to “save the day” and take us to His “castle far away”, we can rest in knowing that we are loved and treasured. Our Knight, our Hero, our King and Savior assures us there is glory and eternity in His love. He is everything we are dreaming of, and He is coming.
“In my Father’s house are many rooms; if it were not so, I would have told you. I am going there to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am. You know the way to the place where I am going.” –John 14:2-4