A friend of mine wrote yesterday, “Bob, I read your devotional today and thought you might be encouraged by the quotes contained in mine, in Christ, Dale.”
I rarely use another person’s blog in its entirety in mine, but this one struck me as being Holy Spirit inspired and makes a point about having courage when faced with overwhelming odds much better than my clumsy attempt yesterday. Enjoy.
From Risk Takers for Christ, info at risktakersforchrist.org
Dare 2B Daring – March 10, 2015
“We’re surrounded? Excellent! We can attack in any direction.” – Gen. Oliver P. Smith, USMC
General Smith is also credited with the following quote: “We’re not retreating. We’re just attacking in a different direction!” The setting was the Battle of Chosin Reservoir in December 1950, at the height of the Korean War, when the 1st Marine Division under his command was completely surrounded by enemy troops.
One of his officers was Col. Chesty Puller, who is said to have responded in similar fashion to the seemingly no-win situation. Undaunted and unfazed, Puller told his men, “We’ve been looking for the enemy for some time now. We’ve finally found him. We’re surrounded. That simplifies things.”
Together, Smith and Puller broke through the enemy lines and marched their fellow Marines 70 miles to the seaport of Hungnam . . . and safety.
Puller, who became the most decorated Marine in history, is said to have uttered similar words during World War II. “All right, they’re on our left, they’re on our right, they’re in front of us, they’re behind us… they can’t get away this time!”
Whether these quotes are correctly attributed or not, the point is clear. There are times in life when we feel overwhelmed, encircled by our enemies, and downright hopeless. We scan the horizon, but there doesn’t appear to be reinforcements – let alone the cavalry – coming over the hill to save us.
So what are we, as believers, to do at times like this?
First, pray to God for rescue or relief. Second, don’t lose heart. Instead, encourage yourself and those around you by recalling times when God spared you amidst even more dire circumstances. And third, wait on Him and rest in Him.
But don’t just hunker down and expect God to do all the work. Because sometimes His method of deliverance requires us to go on the offensive. That’s right; to attack!
Facing a grim situation during World War I, General Ferdinand Foch gave this report to his military superiors: “Hard pressed on my right. My center is yielding. Impossible to maneuver. Situation excellent. I am attacking!”
“Therefore we also, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us . . . ” Hebrews 12:1
You gotta love this one folks. Don’t you just know that if these brave souls hadn’t exhibited such courage, we might very well be goose stepping in honor of some crazed, demon-possessed German dictator. Any politicians listening in today? Okay brothers and sisters, we’re surrounded by the enemy. Great, now we know where to attack!
March 11, 2015 – Click here to listen