"'Now Theoden son of Thengel, will you hearken to me?' said Gandlaf. 'Do you
ask for help?' He lifted his staff and pointed to a high window. There the darkness seemed to clear, and through the opening
could be seen, high and far, a patch of shining sky. 'Not all is dark. Take courage, Lord of the Mar; for better help you
will not find. No counsel have I to give to those that despair. Yet counsel I could give and words I could speak to you. Will
you hear them They are not for all hears. I bid you come out before your doors and look abroad. Too long have you sat in shadows
and trusted to twisted tales and crooked promptings.'" (The Lord of the Ring)
Theoden King: From Death's Grip to Hero's Honor
Theoden King, son of Thengel, ruler of Rohan, Lord of the Riddermark, had many titles in which to prop
himself up and find safety. Yet it was within these titles, behind these props and because of this pride that he was almost
lost to despair. And not only him, but his family and lands as well. Then Gandalf came with a message of hope. Light shone
again upon Theoden King and he became as a man waking from a foul dream. As the king almost lapses back into despair Gandalf
offers the following counsel, "Your fingers would remember their old strength better, if they grasped a sword-hilt." The king's
sword is given him and Theoden seems to be reborn right before our eyes. The movie captured this wonderfully.
Theoden King, was not without his faults, and his faith wavered from time to time, but never did he
again allow himself to sink into the mire of despair from which he was released. We see his fear for his niece, Eowyn; for
his people and for all free people in general. Yet, he was willing to fight to make a difference in the war that waged against
all free people. He doubted at times whether he would live long enough to make any significant difference. However, his determination
was that he should fight nonetheless. It is this distinction that marks him well.
As Christians we can learn from Theoden King. We have also been taken out of darkness and brought into
the light. We waver in our faith, but if we determine to be steadfast our petty battle may well be the difference between
eternal life and death for someone looking on. For the world does look on. The watch us and are looking to see if there is
any difference in us. All too often they have looked at the church and all they have seen different was that these people
went to church on Sundays. That was it. Not much of a testimony. God is calling us to be like Theoden King, to rise up out
of our darkness and not listen to the "twisted tales and poison promptings".
When Theoden King fell in battle on Pelennor Fields it was an honorable death. He died feeling fulfilled.
Our Pelennor Field lies before us. Will we run, or will we fight? And if death should take us does it really matter? Did not
Jesus say, "I am the Way, the Truth and the Life"? Did not our Lord promise to all who follow Him eternal life in His Father's
house? What then do we have need of this mortal flesh, other than to offer it up as God would have us do, in life and in death?
Our joy, or honor, our fulfillment is to do the will of our Lord to the best of our ability, as He empowers us by His Spirit.
Then, upon our Pelennor Field, whether in life or death, we shall find honor in our Father's eyes.
"Because thou hast kept the word of my patience, I also will keep thee from
the hour of temptation, which shall come upon all the world, to try them that dwell upon the earth. Behold, I come quickly:
hold that fast which thou hast, that no man take thy crown. Him that overcometh will I make a pillar in the temple of my God,
and he shall go no more out: and I will write upon him the name of my God, and the name of the city of my God, which is new
Jerusalem, which cometh down out of heaven from my God: and I will write upon him my new name." (Revelation 3:10-12)
