One of my favorite scenes in the movie Prince Caspian involves Lucy - the youngest of the Kings and Queens of Narnia. Young "Queen Lucy" and her family, along with all of Narnia, were engaged in fighting a group of evil men who were trying to take over their country. The battle raged on and on, but when all seemed lost for the Narnians, Lucy was sent to find Aslan - a lion, symbolic of Christ. When she finds Him, the two carry on a brief conversation about courage in the midst of battle, and abruptly that scene ends.
The next scene opens on a different note - this time, with the enemies of Narnia fleeing the "walking trees." (Sorry, you'll just have to see the movie!) At this point, the only thing between the evil men and safety is a river, and fortunately they had just built a bridge a little earlier in the movie.
As they begin to cross, the galloping horses jerk to a halt. To the men's dismay and astonishment, at the other end of the bridge appears a little girl - Queen Lucy. She stops, stands still, pulls out a dagger, and smiles an unusually confident, hopeful smile.
The camera suddenly flashes back to the men. The leader looks at her, bewildered for a minute, and then grins. Evil laughter erupts from his throat, as he begins the charge across the bridge again - as if a little girl could stop him.
Queen Lucy never moves, but continues to hold her composure, standing in the same place. All of the sudden, out of the background, you see Aslan sauntering forward, bigger than life. He takes his place right next to Lucy, as if to say, "She might not can stop you, but I can." Queen Lucy glances over her shoulder at Aslan and smiles again, confident that the big lion will aright everything. And of course, he did. The evil men were conquered and there were happy endings for everyone - well, almost everyone. Now, there's no reason to get upset. I can't tell you the WHOLE movie!
Anyway, that particular scene gets me every time - the intensity, the thrill, the fact that Queen Lucy (the little girl) stands and faces her foe, even though his horse could easily trample her underfoot at a moment's notice. Oh, and did I mention there were HUNDREDS of other evil men on HUNDREDS of other horses also waiting to trample her!
Her courage in the face of imminent danger was a testimony to me. Yes, I know it was just a movie, but the intent of the movie makers came through loud and clear. Queen Lucy knew she wasn't strong enough, or big enough, or brave enough to fight. But she knew who was strong enough and big enough and brave enough - and he was right beside her, shadowing her weakness with His strength. Her ability to stand on that bridge, strong and confident while facing death itself, had nothing to do with her. Instead, it had everything to do with the one who stood beside her.
King Jehoshaphat went through a similar thing back in 2 Chronicles 20. When the king was told that a vast army was coming against him to destroy the nation, he humbled himself before the people and the Lord by calling the people together to pray: "12...For we have no power to face this vast army that is attacking us. We do not know what to do, but our eyes are on you. Scripture goes on...13 All the men of Judah, with their wives and children and little ones, stood there before the LORD. 14 Then the Spirit of the LORD came on Jahaziel son of Zechariah, the son of Benaiah, the son of Jeiel, the son of Mattaniah, a Levite and descendant of Asaph, as he stood in the assembly. He said: “Listen, King Jehoshaphat and all who live in Judah and Jerusalem! This is what the LORD says to you: ‘Do not be afraid or discouraged because of this vast army. For the battle is not yours, but God’s. 16 Tomorrow march down against them. They will be climbing up by the Pass of Ziz, and you will find them at the end of the gorge in the Desert of Jeruel. 17 You will not have to fight this battle. Take up your positions; stand firm and see the deliverance the LORD will give you, Judah and Jerusalem. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged. Go out to face them tomorrow, and the LORD will be with you.’” '
I'll bet there were some grateful people all through the assembly. That was great news! The battle wasn't their own. It wasn't their responsibility. It was God's. They wouldn't even have to fight. All they had to do was stand firm and see the deliverance of the Lord.
Our enemy is big. He's ferocious. He's strong. He's after our very lives. He's after our marriages and our children and our spouses. He's after everything he can get, so that he can not only destroy us, but the fame of the name of the One who loves us. He comes at us hard and fast, with a evil smirk of conquest resting on his lips. And there's nothing we can do about it. We're not big enough. We're not strong enough. We're not even good enough to defend ourselves from his power. Yet, thankfully, God comes along side as we cry out to Him and says, Do not be afraid or discouraged. Take heart - for the battle is not yours, but Mine. All you need to do is stand firm for Me...be courageous...and then just watch what I will do on your behalf. Oh, and by the way, just in case you're wondering...I've got this one in the bag. It's already won.
Lord Jesus, Help me to know that I am weak, but You are strong...to know that when I can't, You can...to recognize that the battle doesn't weigh on my shoulders, but Yours. Thank You that through You all things are possible. I praise You, Jesus. Praise You.
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