The following story was written by Murray Richardson.

I stood with an angel who told me to look into the great valley and see the clash of two armies. The army on my extreme left was evil and fierce. Its warriors were brutal, cruel and unrelenting. Their swords were dented and scarred showing the great use they made of them. This army fought day and night.

The army on the right, however, presented a much different spectacle. Some were fighting, and some were not. Some moved to the front only for brief periods. Others never seemed to join the battle at all. At the head of this army their great King was seeking to inspire his tardy followers to battle.

Clustered close the king, was a hardy band of swordsmen swinging their weapons stoutly. The angel and I could see the Kings most loyal supporters delivering blow after blow against the enemy, their swords ringing as they swung them tirelessly. Their faces were shining although many were stained with blood and tears. Their swords always pointing to the battle and their eyes always fixed on their king.

Then I turned to see a soldier by himself. He stood staring at the ground swinging his sword in a fixed pattern. “He never changes the pattern.” said the angel. “His efforts are quite useless although he himself thinks he is doing very well.”

Then I saw a large company of men marching vigorously to the front line. They joined the battle and waged war fiercely for something less than fifteen minutes, and then retired again to the rear. “These men come at the same time every morning,” said the angel. “There is another group that comes at night. They are very good while they’re here, but so far the king has not been able to enlist their aid for any other time of the day.”

We turned and I could see some of the activities of those who were not fighting. One group had assembled together sitting on the ground with their swords sheathed. From time to time one of them would stand up and exhort the others to go to the front line and join the battle. Then when he had encouraged them to his utmost, he would sit down and another would stand up with a similar exhortation, until all of them had their turn. When the king called them into battle they all nodded their heads in enthusiastic agreement but few ever left the group to do any fighting. Still further back from the front a group of men with rusty swords were gathered together making light conversation. From time to time the King would call them to battle. When this happened they would immediately pass a plate and collect an offering. They would give it to a passing warrior to take to the front line. This made them all feel as though they had done their best. Then I saw a group running gleefully from the fight having thrown their swords to the ground. I sought to inquire as to where they were going. But they paid no attention to me. Then the Angel spoke again. “These men have been waging intermittent warfare, but now the time has come for their holiday, and despite the ceaseless battling of the enemy forces, they are leaving the King’s army and will not be back for a month.”
Then I heard a rousing cheer. I turned my eyes in the direction of the battle. The King’s Mighty men were valiantly standing their ground. Suddenly the enemy ranks began to waiver. The King’s men gave a shout, the king’s army drew their swords and made a great charge at the enemy. The fierce opposition collapsed, and withdrew over the brow of a small hill. The majority of the Kings army put their swords away and took up other occupations. In vain the king called them to finish the task. But only the faithful men of war at the King’s side continued to search out the fleeing foe and put an end to their warfare. Soon those who had stopped fighting were gathered in groups telling of their victories. Others, having lost sight of the enemy, had come to the conclusion that the enemy had never really existed. They began quoting certain books to prove it. This allowed the enemy to reorganize their ranks and prepare to wage battle once again. I felt that something should be done so I approached a group of idle soldiers and sought to point out to them how they were failing in their task of serving the king. They all listen to me, some nodding their heads gravely and saying “amen brother.” When I finished speaking, some said that they wish they could do more, but they were terribly busy most of the day. Others felt that if they exerted too much effort to win the fight, they would be accused of fanaticism. Still others said that they had tried to make good use of their swords, but they had always fallen asleep during the fight, or else had found that they could not concentrate long enough to strike an effective blow. There was some truth in this last statement, for I had seen many a warrior at the front either sleeping or daydreaming.

At this point the angel touched me on the shoulder, and I turned from the group to follow him back up into the hills, wondering in my heart at the apparent futility of their efforts, and others like them, and yet amazed to see as I look back, the Kings valiant men still exerting all their strength, as if they were sure in their hearts that the Kings cause would never be lost. As the angel left he said these words:

Be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. Put on the full armor of God so that you will be able to stand firm against all strategies of the devil. For we are not fighting against flesh-and-blood enemies, but against evil rulers and authorities of the unseen world, against mighty powers in this dark world, and against evil spirits in the heavenly places. Therefore, put on every piece of God’s armor so you will be able to resist the enemy in the time of evil. Then after the battle you will still be standing firm. Stand your ground, putting on the belt of truth and the body armor of God’s righteousness. For shoes, put on the peace that comes from the Good News so that you will be fully prepared. In addition to all of these, hold up the shield of faith to stop the fiery arrows of the devil. Put on salvation as your helmet, and take the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. Pray in the Spirit at all times and on every occasion. Stay alert and be persistent in your prayers for all believers everywhere.