Course Change

Michael stopped walking and looked gravely into Penor McDermott’s face, replying, “I know what you went through … I was there!”

Penor replied incredulously, “You were there …! What do you mean you were there …!” and without being able to hide the look upon his face, the appearance of panic came upon him.

Michael watched Penor McDermott shrink away from him. At any moment Michael expected the man to take flight. Before he could, Michael reassured, “I am not an evil one. I was with you at the stable when the Word of God beckoned! When you evoked the Name of Jesus … His Holy Spirit empowered me and I acted!” Michael removed the long blood-stained sword hidden within the folds of his cloak.

Penor stammered while pointing at the blade, “The Satyr’s injuries …? you … you struck it …! But how … I didn’t see you!”

Michael turned and began walking away. Calling over his shoulder to Penor McDermott, he answered, “You were not looking for me!”

Penor McDermott hesitated and stood watching as Michael walked away. Puzzled he muttered aloud, “I wasn’t looking for him …?”

Michael disappeared into the fog. The dog barked, snapping Penor out of his reverie. He ran after Michael and the dog, shouting, “Wait for me!”

When he caught up with Michael, his inquisitiveness had not been satisfied, so he remarked, “The Elders are somehow mixed up with Witchcraft … I sense it. After my experience with the witches and the demon, I know that what appears to be a good idea on the surface is not necessarily the right thing to do …”

Michael walked along listening to Penor McDermott. As soon a Penor paused, he added, “You are on the right track Penor McDermott. When men succumb to their fallen nature, they become easy prey for Satan and his minions. When Jesus walked the land, He spoke thus to the Elders of that period. To the Pharisees He said:

“’Ye are of your father the devil,

and the lusts of your father ye will do.

He was a murderer from the beginning,

and abode not in the truth, [ John 8:44(KJV)]

because there is no truth in him.

When he speaketh a lie, he speaketh of his own:

for he is a liar, and the father of it.’

“Since Satan has no real power against man … he uses the many disguises of deception to lure them into his traps. You encountered one of his more compelling ensnarements … Witchcraft. Its basis is superficial in nature and potions and spells are used to deceive its victims. Your senses are tricked into believing only what it wants you to see. Hence you were unable to see me when I attacked your adversaries.”

Penor McDermott hung his head watching the miry street pass beneath his feet while replying, “I did not get the impression that they saw you either …”

Michael smiled as he answered, “You are correct in your observation Penor McDermott … in the foolish ones’ attempt to deceive they fall victim to their own divination.”

The two men and the dog continued walking silently. Michael was leading Penor McDermott to a predetermined destination. In the meantime, Penor McDermott walked along trying to sort out the myriad of thoughts his mind was being bombarded with.

Turning off the muddy lane, they walked onto a long wooden quay, the end of being hidden within the dense mist. Penor was glad to be out of the mire and his hopes were buoyed when he remarked, “You didn’t say there was no Forever Man … so there must be one!”

Michael continued walking while replying, “What does the Word of God say about this man you have mistaken me for?”

A puzzled expression clouded Penor’s face as he asked, “The Word of God speaks of him …?” and he paused to think. After a moment to ponder he added, “ …Jesus Christ … He is the One you are alluding to.”

“Well yes … the Word of God is eternal, but Jesus spoke of another:

“’For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son [John 3:16 (KJV)] that whosoever believeth in Him shall not perish, but have everlasting life.’”

“So you see Penor McDermott … all who believe in Jesus have everlasting life and do not perish. You Penor could be considered a Forever Man!”