Title: Against All Odds 

Subject: Standing in the Gap
Summary: Richard Ritenbaugh focuses on the battle of Thermopylae, involving, according to Herodotus, a force of over 2.5 million Persian soldiers under Xerxes against a meager force of 7,000 soldiers from several Greek city states, including 300 Spartans under King Leonidas. The small Greek force had the advantage of geography and superior weaponry, yet they were ultimately betrayed and annihilated. Likewise, as drafted members of Christ's army, we have the ability to withstand our human nature, the world, and Satan. To prevail, we must, in faith and good conscience, unconditionally yield to our Captain, Jesus Christ, demonstrating total dedication, avoiding distractions, preferring to 'live free or die,' and willing to undergo a thorough renewing of our minds. We are assured victory if we put on the whole armor of God, standing together as a spiritual phalanx and repelling all attacks, the waves of trials we all face.

Keywords: Arcadians Bronze shields Christian paradox of self-sacrifice Counting the Cost Deliverance Esther Herodotus Ishtar Law of the Medes and the Persians Leonidas Living sacrifice Military metaphors Phalanx Renewing of our minds Spartans Spiritual armor Spiritual glory Thermopolae Three Hundred Xerxes I Trials 300 Mordecai Marduk