Daily Jewel

by Pastor Carnell, McAlester, OK
June 19, 2012

“When at War…Be Prepared!”
“Therefore disaster will overtake him in an instant; he will suddenly be destroyed—without remedy. – Proverbs 6:15

I was “briefly” in the Boy Scouts when I was in my youth. I do not remember a whole lot from experience with them but this one thing I do remember—their motto: “Be Prepared!” As the 4th of July creeps upon us…this illustration has some extra meaning and weight. Take a look. The American Revolution was over. The United States of America was finished. The Continental Army was all but finished in December 1776 as the British and their Hessian (German) mercenary allies settled in for a long winter rest. In those days, it was customary that armies rest and refit in the winter months in preparation for the campaign seasons of spring and summer. And the British were all about custom and tradition. No matter, thought the British. They saw little need to move directly against Washington's army and risk further casualties. The Continental Army was disintegrating. Unpaid, ill-equipped, cold, and hungry, soldiers in the Continental Army were deserting or walking away as soon as their enlistments expired. A few were even switching sides! In fact, at the civilian level, hundreds of American families were reaffirming their allegiance to King George III. It appeared that New York and New Jersey would be firmly back under King George's "protection" within just a few months. They had already humiliated the Continentals out of New York, inflicting heavy damage on Washington's army. There was no reason for the British to mess up their Christmas in 1776. Everything was going their way. On the American side, despair and hopelessness were the order of the day. The situation was worse than grim. The American cause was all but over. Except for one man, that is—a man who refused to give up. George Washington was the "Rocky" of the American Revolution. In spite of countless setbacks and up against incredible odds, Washington never threw in the towel. He never gave up. And his legendary perseverance was on full display in Christmas 1776.
On Christmas night 1776, General George Washington led the rag-tag Continental Army across the Delaware River to attack the Hessian outpost at Trenton, New Jersey. Two Continental Army soldiers froze to death on the long trek to Trenton after crossing the icy Delaware. Three of Washington's detached units never made it across the Delaware. When word reached him that the muskets were unlikely to fire due to the inclement weather, he told his officers to "use the bayonet." He was absolutely "resolved to take Trenton." Nothing would stand in his way! The morning of December 26, 1776, as the Hessians were rising for a new day, they were startled by an attack by Washington's forces on the town. Two Americans were wounded in the attack, including future President James Monroe. The Hessians suffered numerous casualties and most of the Hessian garrison was forced to surrender. Johann Raul, the Hessian commander, was mortally wounded before surrendering.
It was a brilliant victory for George Washington - and a tremendous morale boost for the Americans. Within a few days, Washington followed up his victory with another at Princeton, and then quartered his troops at Morristown. The British were forced to redeploy in a way that gave up most of New Jersey and limited their reach in New York. It was a masterful campaign that stabilized the American Revolution and made victory possible. Lesson learned…when at war, be prepared. And we are indeed at war. At war with an enemy that pursues us relentlessly and fearlessly. He knows our weaknesses and seeks to reduce our strengths. What Solomon has been saying over the past several verses is simple—always be ready. Whether it is in regards to your business…your family…or your faith…do not rest on your laurels and think you are safe. England was the most powerful army in the world and thought they could simply take it easy. But the upstart and determined Colonists had other ideas and changed the course of the war and history with this victory. Are you prepared for battle?
Pastor J. T. Carnell