Who Will Own The Night? THE “GAUNTLET” HAS BEEN THROWN DOWN

For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. Ephesians 6:12. (NIV)

Among medieval knights there developed, around 1400, a challenge to fight called take up the gauntlet. The gauntlet was a glove of mail with extended cuff designed to protect the hand and wrist. As this tradition became established the gauntlet was thrown down as a challenge to fight. The act of taking up the gauntlet was an acceptance of the challenge to fight and to do combat with the challenger.

In modern warfare the gauntlet has, in many ways, become the challenge to own the night. That was “the challenge” 50 years ago when I was engaged in night clandestine combat operations against a formidable, unconventional foe. I understand that our modern night vision capabilities have greatly altered “the darkness factor”. However, reliable sources tell me the challenge of who will own the night, still gets the juices flowing.

You see there are nights with a full moon and then there are “no moon” and overcast nights. As you may know, some full moon nights are basically like daytime, and your body actually casts a shadow. But then there are those darkest of nights that “no moon warriors” seem to relish operating in. The severe conditions of darkness, followed by a decisive victory, render an unparalleled sense of accomplishment. I believe operating in spiritual darkness is similar, with regard to, the contrasting degrees of darkness. Have you noticed, it’s really dark out there!?

In the spiritual warfare arena, it is as if hell has “thrown down the gauntlet” to Christ followers and with that the challenge, who will own the night in 2022? There is nothing new here, it is just that from time to time, a generation must face and deal with “the darkness”. The heroes of Hebrews 11 demonstrated for us how our Faith and the light of Truth works to demolish these citadels of darkness. The exploits of Martin Luther, George Whitfield, Abraham Lincoln, William J. Seymour, Billy Graham, etc. give us more modern examples of projecting the power of The Cross, the love of Jesus, into the culture to dispel the darkness and set captives free.

There is also nothing new regarding the action that is required of men in each generation, to answer our question of “who will own the night?”. That action requirement is the same in 2022 as when Joshua encouraged his men with, “Be strong and of good courage”. Courage is defined in Webster’s: “Facing and dealing with those things determined to be dangerous, difficult, or unpleasant rather than withdrawing from them”. Courage is a “heart” issue and comes from the same root word for coronary.

The weapons we fight with are not the weapons of the world. On the contrary, they have divine power to demolish strongholds. 2 Corinthians 10:4. (NIV)

In Viet Nam, at my squadron’s headquarters, a large metal sign was erected in a prominent location. My team would be in there to swap out a helicopter gunship every few weeks and I always made a point to pause and read the sign that had these words: “War is an ugly thing, but not the ugliest of things. The decayed and degraded state of moral and patriotic feeling which thinks nothing is worth war is much worse. The person who has nothing for which he is willing to fight, nothing which is more important than his own personal safety, is a miserable creature and has no chance of being free, unless made and kept so by the exertions of men better than himself.”

Although I had no clue who the author was, I realized that those words on the sign rang true in my heart. That quote still seems to elicit a need for a high five or a fist pump from me or maybe just an emphatic “yeah! What does it elicit from you given the cultural darkness all around us?

Be encouraged, for we can draw strength and motivation by remembering Abram, who we will call “the father of night ops”, because of the highly successful night raid he ordered and led in Genesis 14:15. We can also receive inspiration from Nehemiah’s “throwing down the gauntlet” in Nehemiah 4:14 and by Gideon’s confidence and courage at midnight in Judges 7:17, and countless other examples in scripture.

Our Lord and King, Jesus Christ, is our consummate example in all matters of sacrifice, honor, courage, service, etc. It seems to me that Jesus, metaphorically, “threw down the gauntlet” to men when He said: (1) “If anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross and follow Me.” Matthew 16:24; and (2) “Whoever does not take up their cross and follow me is not worthy of me.” Matthew 10:38.

Brothers, these are sobering words indeed. However, as men, when we answer this invitation…this challenge, when we pick up this gauntlet and take up our cross, we are then among those who are then poised to “Own the Night”!

May our prayer be: “Father, in the battles ahead, l ask You to strengthen me with Your mighty power. May I be resilient, resolute, and relentless as I represent You in the culture and in my sphere of influence. I pray also for my brothers that, by Your mighty power working in us, that we acquit ourselves well as we serve You and as we serve others! May we, at all times, represent You well as promise keepers, in word and in deed. Amen!”

For He has rescued us from the dominion of darkness and brought us into the kingdom of the Son He loves. Colossians 1:13 (NIV)

Barney Barnes, 04-10-2022, Promise Keepers National Ambassador for the Military and Prisons