Prayer Warrior

Peering cautiously from behind the cluster of bushes where they’d hidden a safe distance away, Ornan’s sons hoped for another glimpse of the fierce, glowing sword. Ornan was threshing wheat when he turned and saw the ominous visitor.

The awesome creature was enormous and clothed in radiant white, but his intense, piercing gaze penetrated to the very core of a man. If that wasn’t enough, his sword, drawn and ready for battle, was a fiery implement that glowed more brightly than the angel himself. This was an opponent no sane man would offend, even with his four sons nearby. He was a fearsome being and his deadly sword had a life of its own.

It’s no wonder Ornan fell at David’s feet and offered to give him the threshing floor, his oxen and all the implements of his trade for the sacrifice. David, along with the elders, fell on their faces when they saw the fearsome angel and his drawn sword. At the word of God though, David bought the property from Ornan and offered a sacrifice to God. God accepted the sacrifice and commanded the angel to sheath the sword. (1 Chronicles 21:12-30)

After such an encounter with the Almighty, is it any wonder why David chose that site to build the great temple?

The Sword of the Lord

God’s sacred treasure, His people who don’t know Him (Dt. 26:18), are hidden in darkness (Is. 45:3). It’s our task to call them out of darkness (Is. 42:5-7, 1 Pet. 2:9, Mt. 6:19-20, Lk. 16:11). We are told that “our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the powers, against the world forces of this darkness, against the spiritual forces of wickedness in the heavenly places (Eph. 6:12).” The rulers and the powers and the spiritual forces of wickedness hold our captives until we are willing to take up the full armor of God (Eph. 6:13).  Our offensive weapon is “the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God (Eph. 6:17).”

I believe the sword of the Spirit is the same sword King David saw at Ornan’s threshing floor. Let’s search out the nature of this weapon Paul compels us to take up. God’s sword appears repeatedly throughout the Word, from Genesis through Revelation.

Flaming Sword

This supernatural weapon first appeared when God banished His children from the Garden. “He stationed the cherubim and the flaming sword which turned every direction to guard the way to the tree of life (Gen. 3:24).” If Adam and Eve had eaten from the tree of life, they would have lived forever with their fallen nature.  The sword of the Lord and an angel of Heaven guard the way to tree of life, protecting humanity from immortality on earth. This blade is a flaming implement that is able to successfully guard from all directions. The sword was given a mission.

Armed Angels

As King David experienced at Ornan’s threshing floor, the sword of the Lord can be wielded effectively by an angel. From this encounter, we learn that an angel with a sword drawn is a fearsome being causing people to bow or even to hide themselves (1 Chr. 12:16, 20). David was a trained warrior and he was terrified. One angel armed with this sword was perched to decimate the entire city at the command of God. That sword of the Lord is POWERFUL!

In 2 Chr. 32:21 the Lord sent an angel to destroy every mighty warrior, commander and officer in the camp of the king of Assyria. We have to wonder if this angel was also armed with the same weapon. It’s interesting that the angel selectively destroyed the leadership of the Assyrian army.

Commander of the Host

Joshua also saw this famous sword. “Now it came about when Joshua was by Jericho, that he lifted up his eyes and looked, and behold, a man was standing opposite him with his sword drawn in his hand, and Joshua went to him and said to him, ‘Are you for us or for our adversaries?’” (Josh. 5:13) Joshua encountered the Commander of the Lord’s Host. This may have been Jesus or it may have been the same angel that King David saw later. Either way, it’s clear that Joshua recognized his authority, because “Joshua fell facedown to the ground in reverence (Josh. 5:14).”

A king’s sword in that day was a symbol of the king’s authority. For example, when King Saul clothed young David with his armor and gave David his own sword to fight Goliath, Saul was giving David the full weight of his authority to act in his name (1 Sam. 17:38). Authority travels with the weapon. The angel (or the commander) was acting with the full authority of God Himself. Joshua immediately recognized the inherent authority of the fierce sword. The sword of the Lord is a symbol giving the bearer the full measure of God’s authority.

Devoted to Destruction

This fierce sword is capable of utter decimation (Lev. 26:33), and the Lord uses it to exact His vengeance (Dt. 32:41). On many occasions the deadly nature of the sword was discussed in the Word. For example, God prepares His flaming sword and fiery arrows (Ps. 7:12, 13). Another time the sword alone (without the help of man) devoured Assyria (Is. 31:8). The sword brings judgment on those devoted to destruction (Is. 34:5, 66:16). This sword strikes fear in the heart of nations (Jer. 32:10).

Even in the last days, the sword of the Lord is active. “From His mouth comes a sharp sword, so that with it He may strike down the nations, and He will rule them with a rod of iron; and He treads the wine press of the fierce wrath of God, the Almighty (Rev. 19:15).”

From Genesis through Revelation, this sword is a symbol of authority because of the incredible power it commands for tearing down the strongholds of evil. The sword has a deadly nature that is to be feared by those who oppose it.

Living Sword

Paul told us that the sword is the word of God (Eph. 6:17). And, we know “the word of God is living and active and sharper than any two-edged sword, and piercing as far as the division of soul and spirit, of both joints and marrow, and able to judge the thoughts and intentions of the heart (Heb. 4:12).” The sword of the Lord is the Word of God, which is living. Like the sword in the Garden, this sword is active and has a mission that it will accomplish.

The razor-sharp sword of the Lord, the Word of God, is necessary to bring the ultimate healing to our hurting world. The sword of the Spirit has two edges (Heb. 4:12). On one hand, the sword destroys, and on the other hand, as it pierces to the heart of the matter. How can you divide a man’s soul from his spirit? This sword can separate joints and pierce through bone to the marrow. This living blade discerns between the thoughts and intentions in the hidden recesses of the heart. How often has the Lord pointed out your motives as you simply meditated on His sword? His sword is His living Word.

The Call

My friends, that is the weapon we are compelled to take up! “Take up the Sword of the Spirit, which is the Word of God (Eph. 6:17).” Let’s review what we’ve found. The sword of the Lord…

… has a mission that it will accomplish.
… is POWERFUL!
…is a symbol giving the bearer the full measure of God’s authority.
…has a deadly nature that is to be feared by those who oppose it.
…is living and active and sharp.

The sword of the Lord is the Word of God. And, God’s Word always accomplishes the mission, for He said, “So is my word that goes out from my mouth: It will not return to me empty, but will accomplish what I desire and achieve the purpose for which I sent it (Is. 55:11).” God’s Word is powerful.

God gives us the full measure of His authority when we go to battle the forces of darkness armed with His sWord. It is time to become so intimate with our weapon that it fits like a glove in our hand. It must become a natural extension of our own arm. We must learn the Word till its proper use becomes second nature to us. Our mission is to tear down the powers of wickedness in the heavenly places, and our weapon is powerful. It’s time to train. Know the Word and devote yourself to prayer.

Are you ready to train for the battle and learn to wield the living sword? Are you ready to exercise the Word of God to call the captives from darkness? The command is given, and the choice is ours. Take up the Sword of the Lord! ♥