"What it was could not be seen: it was like a great shadow, in the middle
of which was a dark form, of man-shape maybe, yet greater; and a power and terror seemed to be in it and to go before it.
It came to the edge of the fire and the light faded as if a cloud had bent over it. Then with a rush it leaped across the
fissure. The flames roared up to greet it, and wreathed about it; and a black smoke swirled in the air. Its streaming mane
kndled, and blazed behind it. In its right hand was a blade like a stabbing tongue of fire; in its left it held a whip of
many thongs.
"'Ai! Ai!' wailed Legalos. 'A Balrog! A Balrog is come!'" (The Lord of the Rings)
The Balrog: The Depths of Fear
Tolkien's description of a Balrog is meant to do two things, first to emphasize the fear that this
creature inflicted on all who saw it, and second to tell us that no mere description would do that justice. This great beast,
a form of shadow and fire, showed only malice. All who saw it feared, even the orcs who were fighting against the Fellowship.
Fear is an incredible weapon. It disables its victim and then slowly feeds upon them until they are
completely devoured with terror. How many of you have wrestled with, or are wrestling with depression and some kind of panic/anxioty
disorder? God is not the author of fear! Understand that! If that is true then where does this fear come from? Like the Balrog,
it comes from the depths, from places unknown to men, and preys upon the living. This is an apt description of Satan and his
demons. Even our enemies tremble in the presence of these demons. Yet we need not be consumed by so great a terror.
In The Lord of the Rings Tolkien shows how Gandalf stands up against this beast. He does so with words
of authority and with light. Jesus has given Himself to all who follow after Him that they might have the authority of His
name and the brilliance of His light to combat these demonic attacks against us. Where there is light there cannot be darkness.
Gandalf stands upon the bridge and cries out, "You shall not pass!" It is not a request, but a command. Likewise, when we
feel fear begin to approach and take hold, we must turn to our Savior, and with a voice filled with conviction cry out, "You
shall not pass!" We are covered with the sacred blood of Jesus. Jesus tells us to flee and stands upon the bridge between
danger and safety and cries out with His blood, "You shall not pass! It is finished!" In battle the demons were destroyed
and our Lord gives to us that power to destroy them in our daily walk.
Do not therefore be overcome with fear, but be upheld by the mighty love of God in Christ Jesus. For
He stands between us and desastor.
"For ye have not received the spirit of bondage again to fear; but ye have
received the Spirit of adoption, whereby we cry, Abba, Father." (Romans 8:15)
"For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love,
and of a sound mind." (2Timothy 1:7)
