Sometimes you need a guy with a little moxie by your side. I like to watch football, where occasionally a couple of players get into a fight on the field. It’s always the smaller guys, defensive backs or receivers mostly. As the ruckus develops the offensive linemen—the biggest men on a field of big men—walk into the fray. No fear, no hurry. They amble in hoping someone will hit them. They get paid millions to hit and be hit. But no one takes a swing. These giants garner a lot of respect.

Jeremiah endured terrible mistreatment (imprisoned and put in stocks) as he proclaimed the Lord’s unpopular message to the people of Jerusalem. Set free he massaged his ankles and let loose with this: But the Lord is with me as a dread warrior; therefore my persecutors will stumble; they will not overcome me. They will be greatly shamed, for they will not succeed.

God walked alongside Jeremiah as a dread warrior, a terrifying and awe-inspiring champion. Not passive, the Lord defended and protected Jeremiah. Those who mocked and beat and imprisoned the prophet eventually were dragged into captivity or lost their lives.

In my life I seek the peace the Lord provides. I often recall this most famous verse: Yea though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me.

Perhaps I should fear no evil in the valley of the shadow of death because I walk beside a dread warrior. Evil doesn’t just hide from the Lord’s presence, it flees. The rod and staff, tools of the shepherd, morph into the sword and shield of the fighter. God is to be feared along with revered. Which is more than bit frightening when I think on it. But in the game of life, so much more dangerous than football, I prefer a dread warrior at my side who carries more than a little moxie.

Jeremiah 20:11; Psalm 23:4

Photo by Debabrata Dash