Settled into my new home, I got serious again about spiritual
warfare. During prayer, an evilness rose up in me. The spirit of
death spoke, blaspheming The Lord Jesus’ beauty in another
one of its attempts to offend God’s character.
How could I say that? My hurt turned to raw anger. “God,”
I prayed, “this is unacceptable. We must do something about this. That evil spirit can not interfere with my prayer and insult
my Lord. Please help me stop this.”
I mulled this over again and again in silent prayer. I went to
Wal-Mart, and while shopping, had an overwhelming urge to
buy distilled water for infants. I did not question it. When God
leads you to do something, you obey. I bought five gallons, to
be safe. Then, I hopped back in my car and headed home.
When I reached my subdivision, I couldn’t turn into the
sub. There was a car tailgating me and driving too fast for
me to slow down in time to make the turn, so I had to make
the next turn into the Saraland Church of Christ parking lot.
After turning in, I put the car in park.
“God,” I prayed, “I know you’re here.”
The water, I remembered. Even though I had no prior
experience with holy water, I realized what this water was for
now. “Lord, bless this water so it’ll cleanse me inside and out.”
I drove home, brought the water inside, sat down on my bed,
and drank some of the holy water. I fell asleep immediately.
“Wow, God,” I said when I came to, “that knocked me out.
I can’t move.” I really couldn’t move.
The evil voice from within said, “I feel like dying.”
“No, not me,” I emphatically replied. “I feel like doing
God’s will.”
Shortly after, movement returned to my body.
“Amen,” I shouted. “Thank you, Father! I’m a Christian
and have proven faith.” This was answered prayer and revelation. The spirit of death
had detached itself from me. I felt light, and free, and filled
with such hope. As I meditated on my experience and spiritual
walk, I recalled the biblical principle, because of sin, we know
good and evil. Too many people, including me, have chosen
or are choosing to ignore or rationalize these facts away. But,
there’s never been a better time, brothers and sisters, to stand
up and combat spiritual warfare as God intended. God’s army
is alive. My soul sang, On Christ the solid rock I stand, all other
ground is sinking sand.
This marked a new season in my life. My soul now cleansed
from death, I submit my will to God daily. I’m a new creation,
undivided in my spiritual allegiances. From this moment
forward, I’ll be exactly who the Lord has divinely called me to
be. For I love my Lord, my Abba Father, and it’s Him I aim
to please.
A new me, and a new resolve to live with steadfast
commitment, yet the challenges still came, even as I slept.
One night in a dream, I watched myself walk through my
childhood home. In this dream I yelled, “Where’s Maurice?
He should be here by now. It’s late.”
As I passed the bathroom, I stopped in shock at the
doorway. Back in baby form, Moriah was secured on towel
hooks. “Who put my baby up there like that?”
“I did it to keep her safe.” A figure ran past my
peripheral vision.
“Who’s that?” I asked. A midget man with curly reddish hair stepped from behind
the wall and said, “it’s me.” Then another guy who looked just
like a twin of that man stepped inside the house.
“There’s two of y’all?”
The first spirit said, “Come with me. I’ve something to
show you.”
We three walked outside and headed toward the street.
Another version of myself and Moe lay dead alongside the
curb. What?
“I’m dead?” I asked.
A bright light engulfed me and impaired my vision for a
moment. Then, a massive tree came into focus. It was barren
without fruit or leaves. The Lord stood on a large branch far
up in the tree. My heart raced at this mysterious sight. I awoke
abruptly, my heart pounding wildly.
I lay there meditating on this dream experience. Was God
showing me how I was dead in my unrepentant sin? Had He
spared my life—spared it so I could spread His message through my
experiences? Glory to God, here I am.
© Daveda Buckman-Reed