December 25, 1776
During the American Revolution, George Washington took 2,400 of his men across the Delaware River to conduct a surprise assault on 1,500 British-Hessians (German mercenaries) at Trenton, New Jersey. The Hessians surrendered after only an hour with nearly 1,000 taken prisoner by Washington who suffered only six wounded (including future president Lt. James Monroe). Washington’s raid was expertly planned and strategically executed. It had to be! Every man had to be accountable to their general and accurate as to his plan. Even still, there was the unpredictable enemy which regarded neither man nor plan—the invisible enemy of the natural elements. Sub-freezing temperatures, biting wind, dense fog, and icy waters would do as they wished. On that midnight of December 25-26th Washington’s enemy wielded all these weapons at once. Yet, the general steadfastly led his troops to endure those hardships so that they might also have the chance to overcome the hands of skilled mercenaries. They were able to overcome both enemies—visible and invisible—not primarily due to their training, but to the favor of God.
For the missionary family serving in the rigors of spiritual war on dark continents against the raging elements of wickedness in high places, the rigors of ‘raiding the enemy’ are no less challenging. Displays of valiant and victorious courage are first predicated by careful and cautious planning. But even then, as Proverbs 21:31 reminds us, the horse can only be prepared for battle, but safety belongs to the Lord. If a missionary’s efforts will be forged by God’s direct favor, then he must preeminently be committed to follow the orders of his General, the only wise God our Savior in the face of the enemy—both visible and invisible. (Jude 25; Col.1:16) He must do so not only for a single night, but a series of nights and days which may extend for months, years, or even decades. It is a battle worth raging since the missionary isn’t looking to win his own freedom, but that of those who are enslaved to the bounds of sin and sin’s sinister master, the prince of the darkness of the air. I can’t think of a nobler or more necessary battle to rage, nor to support with intelligent and constant prayer, than the one for the souls of lost man! Thank you for your part in doing so!
Rodney Myers
GFF General Director