The Game of
Life
In this
striking picture is an allegorical
presentation of the conflict between
man and the powers of darkness. A
young man is playing the game for his
life against the most wily opponents
– the prince of evil himself.
Behind the young man – and
apparently unobserved – is an
angel from heaven, sent by man’s
Creator as a personal guardian.
“Are they not all ministering
spirits, sent forth to minister for
them who shall be heirs of
salvation?” Hebrews 1:14.
Also
pictured is an angel from the
dominion of Satan who is vitally
interested in victory for his side
and stands ready to assist in any way
in causing the young man to lose the
game he is playing.
In the
game of life the stakes are high, for
Satan is determined to get mastery
over man’s soul. With desperate
earnestness the man pits himself
against this enemy of righteousness.
As is all too frequent in human
experience, Satan at the outset gains
an advantage. He has taken away the
symbols representing Bible reading,
prayer, and other aids to a Christian
experience. Although the young man
has given up liquor, tobacco, and
card playing, apparently he is still
losing the game. What shall his next
move be? It is a tense and anxious
moment in his life. In contrast with
his deep concern is the exultation of
his opponent, whose face is marked
with malice and cunning. Satan is
confident that he has his victim
started on the downward path. In deep
meditation and conviction the young
man hesitantly reaches for the cross,
the one symbol that alone can
checkmate every move of the enemy.
The tide
can be turned, With the cross in his
hand the young man may obtain the
victory, not because of his skill or
cleverness but because of his
complete dependence on the cross of
Christ. Like the Apostle Paul, he is
able to say, “In the cross of
Christ I glory.”
This is
the game in which we are each
engaged. What its outcome will be
depends upon how we meet and fight
life’s battle day by day.
Through Christ we may all be
victorious.
So take
courage if you too are struggling
against the enemy. God never forsakes
one who turns to Him for help.
