When Hezekiah is about to be killed by a hellish creature, Jesus saves him at the last moment to carry out a special mission. The City of Sodom faces destruction, yet Jesus is unable to intervene to save them as they lack faith and belief in Him. Still, the Son of God refuses to let them die without a fight; thus, He chooses Hezekiah to go in His stead as His Spirit Warrior to tell the people of God's salvation. This mission is no easy task, though, as Hezekiah faces abhorrent citizens who refuse to open their hearts to God's message and evil angels with a legion of demons are ready to strike. Will this new Spirit Warrior be able to survive the dark forces he faces and bring God's people back to Him?
This story truly conveys how amazing God is and what He can do
through others and, with the addition of the Scripture references at the end of the
book, this story could definitely make younger readers more curious to pick up the
Bible or begin attending church so that they may learn more.
My favorite part of the book is after the main character seems to have failed his mission. Steeped in self-doubt and pity he kicks himself until Jesus show up and reassures his love for him. This part of the story highlights that when we fail God, He already positioned to forgive us. He is our present help in our time of need. And he will help us complete the assignment he has laid out for us.
Hezekiah gasps and covers his mouth. He jumps to his feet. “Jesus,
I’m so glad you’re here!” says Hezekiah, his face brightening. Hezekiah
remembers his past sins and looks down in shame.
“Why have you ignored me for the past few months, Hezekiah?”
asks Jesus.
“I don’t know, Lord. Well, actually, I do know. I thought I could
handle things on my own as things became peaceful. I slowly began to
distance myself from you because your way of living was not popular.
The townspeople loved you for saving the city, but they didn’t want to
accept your gift of salvation and follow you.
“They were too enraptured with the lustful lives they were living, so
they had no interest in you for real. ‘Too religious,’ they said. I started
to lean on Gene and the other council members for wisdom instead of
on you. As a result, each decision I made took me further and further
away from you.
“I started to cheat people on their taxes—from property taxes to
sales tax. I harassed the police and forced them to write unjust tickets
on people; I threw people in jail because they wouldn’t pay my fines. I
justified cheating people by telling myself it was for the good of the city.
“But, in reality, after the first month of taking that position, I wanted
to build a new kingdom for myself. I wanted to rule and reign as I did
before. I wanted everything around me to be as bright and shiny as I
remembered it back in the old kingdom. My flesh completely took over.
“By the time I realized my mistake, it was far too late to do anything about it. I even gave up the ...” Hezekiah starts to choke up, “the
Sword of the Spirit, you gave me,” says Hezekiah, failing to hold back
his tears of shame.
“You mean this sword?” asks Jesus. The Son of God reaches
into Hezekiah’s chest and draws the Sword of the Spirit out of
Hezekiah’s spirit.
“I don’t understand,” says Hezekiah in tearful confusion.
“Hezekiah, when I saved you, I saved you for eternity. I paid for
your sins—past, present, and future. When I died on the cross for you,
I already knew that you would fail this way. ‘I gave you eternal life, and
you shall never perish; no one will snatch you out of my hand. My
Father, who has given you to me, is greater than all; no one can snatch
you out of my Father’s hand. I and the Father are one.’
“Furthermore, this sword you thought you gave away is really an
extension of the Holy Spirit. So, it is impossible to lose this sword
because the Holy Spirit lives inside of you. I love you, and I will never
stop loving you! The only reason why you failed is that you walked away
from me,” Jesus explains.
“I know, Lord. I don’t deserve you, Lord. Why do you even bother
yourself with me?”
“I gave my life for you!” says Jesus, motioning with His hands.
“Will you forgive me?”
“I already have.”