Writing a War Story

God’s glory is our triumph

I’m the good-looking guy in green. No Laughing!

Warriors all have stories. Bards are fond of recounting “storied careers,” and “storied units”. Spiritual warriors have stories, through the workings of the grace of God. With Him and through Him, we write the story of His glory.

Psalm 139 opens;

“LORD, You have searched me and known me.

You know when I sit down and when I get up;

You understand my thought from far away.

You scrutinize my path and my lying down,

And are acquainted with all my ways.

Even before there is a word on my tongue,

Behold, LORD, You know it all.

You have encircled me behind and in front,

And placed Your hand upon me.”

Two factors must concatenate to create a “storied” unit.

First, the unit must face some sort of adversity. “Rock of the Marne,” “Regulars,” “Chosin,” “Rakkasans” are all nicknames of Army units who heroically distinguished themselves amid adversity and suffering.

One of my alma maters, the “Devil” Brigade, was allegedly named by a German soldier. He wrote home to describe the 504^th Parachute Infantry Regiment, calling them “those devils in baggy pants.”

Commanders and their soldiers have little influence over when the challenge will come. Leaders can vie to get their units into the “thick” of the fight, but we rarely know where and when the opportunity to serve will come.

The other requirement for a “storied” unit; they must be up to the task when called upon. Commanders and soldiers have an enormous amount of influence over this. Before the moment of decision, the soldiers of any military organization can prepare themselves for excellence.

Being as prepared as possible is every soldier’s responsibility, from the commander to the lowest private. This is why many of the great war movies begin with the unit in training. It is hard work belonging to a well-prepared outfit. Physical preparation can be grueling, and the mental prep is worse. Training requires sleepless nights away from one’s family, shivering in the cold, sweating in the heat, slogging through mud, sand and snow.

Most of my commanders worked hard to prepare their units for war. Some were almost melodramatic in their rabid approach to training troops. Most of them were well-read and creative. We were ready.

Preparation, however, is not entirely determined by the soldiers or a commander.

Task Force Smith, at the outset of the Korean War, is undeservedly famous for its failure. Their shortcomings came from above, because of a post-World War II complacency. They were green, had poor intelligence, and were ill equipped. Their 2.36-inch bazooka rounds bounced off the enemy’s T-34 tanks, which were furnished by the Soviets 1. I am unaware of an army unit nicknamed “Smiths!” The Army spirit of the age did not facilitate a heroic stand. If we are in a position of leadership, we must equip and enable our flocks.

“With Him and through Him, we write the story of His glory”

We admire spiritual warriors who meet adversity with faith and receive the victory God has for them. While “storied” units enjoy their bragging rights, even generations removed from the moment of renown, spiritual warriors attribute all glory to God. Still, our story can be one of victory and encouragement to others. It could also be a cautionary tale.

Adversity will come…will we be prepared?

Unlike Task Force Smith in Korea, our Sovereign has supplied us with the best weapon systems. We have the Sword of the Spirit and the Comforter dwells within us. He is always with us. We have brothers and sisters in Christ to help us in the fight.

Tomorrow, the enemies of our salvation will attack, if they have not already attacked today. Satan and our carnal nature are mustering for the next spiritual battle. We can be certain of this. I pray the Lord will “lead us not into temptation but deliver us from evil” (Luke 11:4).

Nonetheless, we do not live in denial nor under the delusion that trials and temptations will never come.

The only variable is how well we prepare for battle.

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Back when cartoons were fun, Wile E. Coyote would read the instruction on a hand grenade as he deployed it. “Step one, pull the pin, as shown in figure one,” et Cetera. By the time he figured out how to use the device, it exploded in his hands and Roadrunner was long gone. The moral; don’t run to Psalms or wait to pray on the way to a job interview with the gas gauge on empty. Before the crisis, read the Word, pray diligently and build relationships within your local assembly. A warrior does not wait for combat to zero his rifle.

When the Devil (not the one in baggy pants) attacks, we can be ready. The greater the challenge, the greater our victory and the greater our story. God will get the glory through our story. God’s glory is our triumph.

The more systematic and passionate the preparation is, the greater our story will be on the day of decision.

1. Niles, Douglas. “A Cold War Ignites” How to Lose a War, More Foolish Plans and Great Military Blunders, Edited by Bill Fawcett. New York: Harper 2009 P.7