Japanese Drama Review 3 - Hanayori Dango Episode 1 - Prayer
- Anita Delene Manthe
- Dec 15, 2016
- 3 min read
Life as we have come to observe it at Eitoku has proven to have many challenges. When one is continually excluded from involvement by your peers, and the only interest they may express is to cultivate an arena in which to belittle and humiliate you – discouragement and fear can grow to anger. An angry heart will either retaliate or withdraw. Retaliation will be met with more of the same, and withdrawing will lead to resentment, bitterness, discouragement and depression. The result of both responses will not bring victory. It will set the grounds for further animosity and warfare.
Makino may question the reason the Lord has her at Eitoku when everything appears to be so negative, and anything about her, and her life would be so rejected by her peer group – by all students at Eitoku? Any positive – Biblical response – will only cause further mocking, and jesting.
Makino does not realize that this is what is supposed to happen. As a Christian this is her reality, it will always be her reality. In some way or another she will find herself in conflict and at war.
In our discussion on the Sovereignty of God we understood God causes all things to work together for good so that we may be a testimony and become the firstborn among many (Romans 5:28-29). God will cause all things – this includes retaliation, mocking and jesting – as it will force Makino to seek the Lord for strength to endure. Her responses to unkind treatment will provide a means to put the behaviors of Christ on display. She will be used as a firstborn. But how is she to be victorious in war. Again God does not leave us without instruction – He explains the reality of Eitoku, and what Makino’s response should be – prayer. Prayer will focus her dependence on the Lord, she will grow in understanding He is ever present. He is!
Be strong—not in yourselves but in the Lord, in the power of his boundless resource. Put on God’s complete armor so that you can successfully resist all the devil’s methods of attack. For our fight is not against any physical enemy: it is against organizations and powers that are spiritual. We are up against the unseen power that controls this dark world, and spiritual agents from the very headquarters of evil. Therefore you must wear the whole armor of God that you may be able to resist evil in its day of power, and that even when you have fought to a standstill you may still stand your ground. Take your stand then with truth as your belt, righteousness your breastplate, the Gospel of peace firmly on your feet, salvation as your helmet and in your hand the sword of the Spirit, the Word of God. Above all be sure you take faith as your shield, for it can quench every burning missile the enemy hurls at you. Pray at all times with every kind of spiritual prayer, keeping alert and persistent as you pray for all Christ’s men and women (Ephesians 6:10-18).
If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives generously to all without reproach, and it will be given him (James 1:5).
Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name. Your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread, and forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For if you forgive others their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you, but if you do not forgive others their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses (Matthew 6:9-15).
Previous Article on this Drama - http://em1626grace.wixsite.com/treasurebox/single-post/2016/12/10/Japanese-Drama-Review-2---Hanayori-Dango-Episode-1---Accepting-Sovereignty
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