“The Inverse Pair” (Jn.1:5;23:46; Lk10:11;Matt.5:16;8:3; Rom.10:14; Is40:4; Ps42:7)[Reflections on Ralph D. Sawyer's Translation of One Hundred Unorthodox Strategies - Battle Tactics of Chinese Warfare #5-6]

The infantry and cavalry are dancing partners here;
Terrain for each, inverse it is, so victory’s not clear –
The chariots and cavalry like flat and open space,
While infantry can scurry ’round a much obstructed place.

Of course the spirit, energy, and skills, and weaponry,
Are all a part of dancing there as some advance, some flee;
It’s mix and match as Sun Tsu said, with leaders competent;
Which way the battle goes in end is sometimes heaven-sent.

Such battles can exhaust supplies, and tire out the troops,
So drawing folks into some place can force them to regroup;
With subterfuge, and info-plants, manipulation flows
Like streams in desert, quenching thirst, which seeds of victory sows.

Lord, as I ponder satan’s tacks, and Yours as well, I’d say,
Away from You our goose is cooked, we’d be like kids at play –
We’d clobbered be, sucked into places we ought not to be,
And yet when we abide in You, a victory we could see.

For Kingdom-life above the earth, its swamp and steep defiles,
Is different for us as we skate the unobstructed miles;
Then when the time is right, like Jacob’s angel with his touch,
You have us move in on some scene, release them from their crutch.

For they are trapped, imprisoned in their thoughts traditional,
Where evil is a way of life – to steal, destroy, and kill;
They aren’t aware of Kingdom-life and, freedom from our foe,
Which You provide where we reside, ’till someone in the know –

Reveals our situation truly, obfuscation gone,
Through timely word, or gentle touch, enthusiastic song;
“Foot soldier of the Lord I am” a buddy said to me;
“I don’t pretend to big-shot to be, but I will battle see”.

So Lord, how ’bout the business world – it’s rife with conflict bare?
Where folks are dancing in the dark? “Light candles, campfires there –
Light up their situations first, so all can see the scene;
Then they can see for real, relief from satan’s mean and mean.”

Lord I can see, “Enticing folks to better place for them,
Which is no trap, but freedom-ride, that they might live again”,
Is awesome option – like three fingers facing raging bull
As witness (martyr) speaks today – our Psalmist-cup now full.

Lord, when we’re on Your level-ground, or when by waterfalls,
Remind us of Your presence deep, as torrent to us calls;
Where e’er we are, help us to feel Your Kingdom ’neath our feet,
And Your strong presence in our lives through victory, defeat.

For in the end, eternal-life is what we’re entered on;
Six decades, or by strength if seven, are oh so quickly gone;
Thanks for today – forgiveness for our stepping back from You;
Help us, take us, like branch on vine, and grafted life renew.

Thanks Lord for this.

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