A couple months ago a very good friend stood with me on the roof of a hotel in downtown Charleston, SC where he pointed out features concerning the old city that remain preserved to this day. One historical feature remains in plain sight--no building is higher than a church steeple in Charleston. One reason for this is to preserve the old (literal) landmarks that ships used to navigate--the church steeples. Higher buildings obscure the view!
Walking to one side of the restaurant, my friend pointed down to what seemed to be a church; in fact, the building once was a church but is now a restaurant called “5Church Charleston”. He told us to visit there sometime, for there we will find Sun Tzu’s entire “Art of War” painted on the ceiling. We’ve not yet made the visit, but my friend knew of my interest in the ancient work.
Nobody knows exactly when Sun Tzu was born, but scholars generally say he lived sometime between 720 years to 480 years before Christ. A military strategist himself, Sun Tzu penned his “philosophy of war” that is still required reading for military students to this day--and it’s just good literature. Sun Tzu wrote:
But the idea did not originate with Sun Tzu. We read in the love song that is Psalm 45 (that pre-dates Sun Tzu by many hundreds of years) how the King rides out victoriously. "In your majesty ride out victoriously…” (Psalm 45:4a) It may be argued that Sun Tzu borrowed a timeless principle from scripture. Before ever reaching the battlefield, the King has already won the war.
The last book of the Bible, written long after Jesus died, was buried and rose again, contains this intriguing picture: “Then I saw heaven opened, and behold, a white horse! The one sitting on it is called Faithful and True, and in righteousness he judges and makes war. ... And the armies of heaven, arrayed in fine linen, white and pure, were following him on white horses.” (Rev.19:11, 14)
Do you see Him riding out to battle, being followed by His armies? Read in Revelation how this victorious King is covered in blood while his armies remain white and pure. Who is doing the fighting? Not the armies! This King rides out victorious!
Now here’s something to think about: does this marvellous King rule in your life? What has been your response to the grace which he kisses from His lips? What does His victorious ride in your life look like? Is it beautiful; or, does he ride out for war? Either way--He wins.
