As you enter your home you notice that nothing is where you left it and everything appears rummaged through. While you survey the situation thoughts flash through your mind as to who could have done this, and then you are summoned to a frantic level of awareness by the thought that they might still be there. You call the police but don't know how long it will be before they arrive. Your present dilemma is whether to wait for the authorities, or take matters into your own hands and "clear the house"...
Though untrained, ignorant, and unprepared for the unknown you decide to venture deeper into a once familiar dwelling which now seems as foreign to you as a forest at midnight. While you creep through corridors, and hallways, you see that nothing has been taken. As you round a corner and catch sight of your room, a shadow vanishes as soon as your gaze hits the half-open door. Your heartbeat instantly rises, and begins a forceful rhythm, pounding on the inside of your chest. Rather than leave the house, now knowing of the intruders presence, you slowly make your way to the door. You reach the doorway. As you reach out your hand to fully open the door, it is quickly flung open. On the other side you are surprised to see familiar eyes starring back at you...
The eyes are your own; the intruder bears striking resemblance to the resident...
While you stand there shocked at what you behold, they lunge forward with a yell knocking you to the ground. This attack, though unexpected, informs you of the fact that this person is not there for your possessions, but your life. You struggle to loose yourself of their grip, but they fight as though they knew your intentions, and movements in advance.
You momentarily break free of their hold, and throw them to your side. You bury a firm blow in their ribs, and scramble for the door. To your surprise they are not slowed by your strikes. They swipe at your foot, and trip you before you can escape. You panic, wishing you had awaited the arrival of the authorities. You realize that your assailant now holds brandishes a knife with the words "Old Man of Flesh" engraved on the blade.
You are now fully aware of the gravity of this fight. From this struggle, only one may emerge alive.
Your attacker takes a purposed swipe at you with the blade. You barely avoid it by side stepping. You contemplate leaving the house to escape your assailant, but shake the though from your mind, convincing yourself of your ability to handle the situation.
The next attack leaves you cut, but only mildly. You are wearying, but sense no such signs of fatigue in your opponent. Desperation is setting in and now you are realizing you weren't prepared for this. This revelation comes to late however.
Your aggressor swipes at you once again, and while you avoid being cut, you are put off balance. In this instant, they hurl their shoulder to your chest and you are flung to the ground. You see them circling you with an unsettling air of confidence about them. They make a fatally intended decent, blade in hand and aimed at your heart, and you close your eyes bracing for the sharp and precise impact...
When you open your eyes, you are standing in the foyer of the house. You see the same disorderly scene as before. You have full memory of the instances which just occurred...and you proceed yet again.
Faith is never so foolishly spent as when it is wasted on one's own ability and merit. We can not fight this battle against our flesh on our own, for by doing so we seal our own fate. We will fall victim to our own sinful nature time and time again.
But they that wait upon the LORD shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint.
Isaiah 40:31
In plain language, wait for Those who are prepared to subdue the intruder.
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