Oh Israel, When Will You Fight For Your King?
by Brian N. Burridge ©1995

I write this just an hour after seeing the film "Braveheart". I will not attempt to provide a film review, for many others have already done so. But I will strongly recommend it as a powerful and moving experience. I challenge you to see it and consider a few of my thoughts. First, however, I must warn you that it is not a film for the weak of heart. Battle has never been pretty, but it is unfortunately, so very often neccessary.

William Wallace, played masterfully by Mel Gibson, was a man of great bravery and commitment. He loved his country and would rather die fighting for freedom than to live under the rule of an evil king. This film stirred me to my very core and I have tried to apply it's lessons to my life.

My first thoughts were of defending America, a country I love with all my heart. But in a time of relative peace, war is unlikely and I pray it remains that way.

When this film reached the end, and Wallace had to make a choice between great suffering for continuing his cause, and immediate comfort to pledge to the oppresive king, he remained brave and did not compromise his beliefs. A noble action, and one for which, I fear, I would not have had the strength. It was then that I realized, not only could I not have followed in Wallace's bravery, but I have not done so in similiar situations.

I am a citizen of a country that is at war. A country with many real enemies oppressing it daily. Many times I have had the choice between comfort and suffering, and I have played the part of the coward, and chosen the comfort. These difficult trials never risk my life, or even my health, yet, I still fall. Wallace stood firmly for the principle of freedom, a noble cause, but his country of dirt and stones pales in significance to the substance of my country.

Countries in this world rise and fall, as do their kings. But my King will never die, nor will He ever fail. How much more should I fight with uncompromising faith when my King has already paid the price of suffering and death for the cause, and forgiven me for my cowardice...my sin.

My King leads a country that believes in one truth, one law, one morality. My King has shown me this truth and promised to give me the strength to fight. The war is over but the battles still rage each and every day.

Wallace's battlefields were the mountains of Scotland. Mine is the office, the grocery store, my home, my church...anywhere that I am faced with those who are disloyal to the King, and where I may be tempted to disobey Him.

Wallace fought against the King of England and his desire to suppress the freedom of the people of Scotland. I fight against the Prince of Darkness, and his desire to pervert the truth and lead the people of God astray.

Wallace fought with axes, knives, and swords, I must fight with God's Word, His promises, and faith.

I will fail, as I have done so many times before, but my country's victory is sealed; it's success does not depend on me, but on the power of my King. The weights have been lifted from my shoulders, and I am free to take a stand without fear of defeat. I must fight for my King. If I should succeed in uncompromising faith for the rest of my days, it will be by the power of my God alone, and save for His mercy, I would still deserve to suffer in the very bowels of Hell for all eternity. I owe my life to my King. I owe my freedom. I owe all that I have ever had, all that I have now, and all that I ever will have.

I pray for the strength to serve him faithfully, oblivious to the ridicule of the world. If God blesses me in this way, when I lay on my bed in my final hours of this world, I will be able to look back on my life and know that I served my King as best I could. But, if I do not try my best, if I compromise my faith and my King, I will have nothing to look back on. I will still go to be with my King upon my death, for this He has promised (I do not understand why) and I know he will keep his promise. But, If I disobey Him, I will live an empty life, void of hope and happiness. I challenge you to stand and fight for your King, for it is the only reason we have been placed on this world.