Babe With The Power

Image by PublicDomainPictures from Pixabay 

So, I can’t seem to get away from the movie Labyrinth. Something I came across recently reminded me of the line Sarah finally remembers to say to the Goblin king, “You have no power over me.” 

What triggered that was a statement in an article to the effect that our spiritual enemy is wicked but has no power. Really? Looking at the news, or just at my own life, my natural human response is, “coulda fooled me.” 

But, also (Don’t you love how spiritual lessons link together? One of the Lord’s teaching methods, I believe) I have been meditating on communion lately, at least more than just our traditional monthly celebration at church. During my own private prayer time I had begun to focus more on what the bread and wine actually mean. One thing I realized is that the bread bestows salvation, healing and provision; the wine (Blood) bestows power and authority. It represents the New Covenant. 

In the same way, after supper he took the cup, saying, “This cup is the new covenant in my blood;…” I Corinthians 11:25

Here I wish we could go into a study of the blood covenant, an ancient and powerful commitment not entered into lightly, much stronger than our more familiar modern contracts. A blood covenant was unbreakable and endowed those who entered into it with all the power and authority of their covenant brother. 

David understood the concept of covenant - and who had it and who didn't - shown by his reaction to the giant Goliath challenging the army of Israel: "For who is this uncircumcised Philistine, that he should defy the armies of the living God?”I Samuel 17:26.

By calling Goliath an “uncircumcised Philistine,” David was pointing out the fact that Goliath had no covenant with God, circumcision being the sign of the unique Jewish relationship with the Lord. On the strength of that faith, and that power, young David went out and killed the much larger, stronger enemy. While Goliath was big and scary, and had intimidating natural weapons, the true power rested on David. 

According to the book of Hebrews, the covenant Jesus initiated was better than the one David used to defeat Goliath.  

 But now He has obtained a more excellent ministry, inasmuch as He is also Mediator of a better covenant, which was established on better promises. Hebrews 8:6

For those who believe in and follow Jesus, this is our Covenant, one that gives us His power and authority over the enemy. It’s true: the enemy is wicked but has no power - only what we inadvertently give him through our fear and doubt. An essential part of “standing in the gap” is to realize who we really are and what we really have. 

Like young Sarah in the movie, we can look any Goblin in the face and say, “You have no power over me.”

Margaret