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As citizens of a free
land, we have the right and privilege to oppose the decisions and
actions of our local and national leaders. We can publicly oppose any
wars or military conflicts pursued by our military forces. Even our
soldiers are free to voice their opposition.
Certainly there are
military conflicts that no one really wants. The worldwide war on
terror touched off by the September 11 attack on our nation is one
such conflict. Terrorism, of course, did not begin with that attack
on New York and Washington. It had already been around for a long
time. But how could anyone effectively fight it or hope to stop it?
Even so, when our
cities and citizens were attacked, we had little choice but to strike
back and do our best to take the battle to the enemy. Defensively
speaking, our presence in the Middle East is an attempt to not only
flush out and eradicate known terrorists, but also to keep the enemy
preoccupied on his own home front, and to demonstrate that the United
States will not lie down and be another helpless victim of terror. So
long as we have breath as a nation, we will defend our people and our
land — we will strike back.
Such bitter and
undesirable conflicts are not new.
In ancient Israel, the
successful and popular King David also had to make such decisions.
When news of an unprovoked and shameful attack on David’s own peaceful
ambassadors reached the king, he had to decide right away how he would
respond. David knew he really had little choice (read the whole story
for yourself in 2 Samuel 10:1-19). He sent a military response. In
the mean time, his enemies (the Ammonites) gathered military help
(Syrians or Arameans) from neighboring nations.
When Joab, Israel's
top military commander under David, reached the battlefield with his
troops, he soon discovered that he had to face enemy forces both in
front and in back. It was not a good situation. But Joab, like
David, his king, was no coward. In the face of undesirable odds and
doubtful circumstances, he divided his forces and prepared to do what
had to be done. The army of Israel would not turn tail or quake with
fear. They would be the aggressor that day, even when faced with the
strong possibility of bitter defeat and death.
Joab had no guarantee
of victory, but he did possess a good resolve. I believe it was a
resolve grounded in faith, as well as in his experience and skill as a
warrior. No doubt, Joab was confident of his ability to lead. But I
see in this fighting man a resolve that is born of faith in the Lord.
Mark his words: "Be strong, and let us be courageous for the sake of
our people, and for the cities of our God; and may the LORD do what
seems good to him." (2 Samuel 10:12, NRSV)
Israel's military
commander did not foolishly presume that God would automatically give
Israel a great victory — or any victory at all. But he trusted in God
to do what was right and good. And as for himself, and his men, he
understood their duty perfectly well. Their job was to fight for
their people, for their land, and for their king. With this courage,
faith, and determination Joab led Israel's forces to victory that
day.
The Ammonites and
Arameans didn't seem to be prepared for a real battle that day.
Apparently, they had expected the sheer number of their combined
forces to frighten (and thereby weaken) Israel, so that an easy
bloodbath would follow. When Israel charged at them without
fear, both the Aramean and then the Ammonite forces turned and ran.
When word finally got
back to Syria of Israel's complete victory that day, the Arameans
decided they wanted another battle in order to better prove
themselves. They gathered all their infantry forces, their armed
chariot teams and horsemen together and faced Israel again. And once
again Israel won the day.
The lesson in
Scripture, for me, is not simply that Israel was a superior force in
battle. For me, the message is much more basic: we must always be
firm in our resolve to do whatever needs to be done. Our faith must
first be in God for a right and good outcome — even if that outcome is
not always in our favor. No matter what, we need to do our job.
The US troops in the
Middle East today are not there because they really want to be away
from home, fighting in a war. I'm sure that just about every soldier
in Iraq and Afghanistan would rather be here at home, living and
working in peace. But they know they have a job to do. They know
that the odds are not so great, and that the enemy wears many faces.
Our troops fight for the sake of terrorized people in Iraq and
Afghanistan who cannot defend themselves. They also fight to protect
the United States from arrogant terrorists who would bring their
doctrine of hate and ruin to our cities and citizens.
Whether we win or lose
in our war on terror, we must face the enemy and take the battle to
them. We must not be arrogant or assume too much. God Himself will
bring about whatever seems right in His own eyes. He is righteous
even when we are not.
The United States is
not populated by a people more righteous or more holy or more
deserving than the people of any other nation. In fact, we in the USA
are simply the people of this world who've gathered together under one
flag and one hope of liberty, to see if we can build and preserve a
society and culture based on personal rights and freedom for all
citizens.
Our national history
is not pure or perfect. We’ve made our share of mistakes and foolish
choices as a nation and as individuals. But thankfully, our history
also shows that we’re usually willing to learn from mistakes and
failures, and to correct our course. May God truly help us to both
see and understand His good will in the present and future challenges
we face as a people, as families, and as individuals.
In the mean time, men
and women of America stand ready to die, if need be, to protect our
opportunity to remain strong and free as a people. A great number of
these men and women are fighting in the Middle East right now. Others
are taking their stand right here at home, on the streets of every
town and city in the United States. Law enforcement officers,
firefighters, and others place their lives on the line day after day
and night after night, working to preserve what we have as a free
people.
Our hats are off to
all such men and women. Our gratitude must always be rich and
strong. May the Lord keep them all, and bless them all with good
success and life. And may they succeed in their work of helping to
preserve and maintain this nation — one nation under God. Amen.
"Be strong, and let us
be courageous for the sake of our people, and for the cities of our
God; and may the LORD do what seems good to him." (2 Samuel 10:12,
NRSV)
— Joab, Military
Commander during the reign of David, King of Israel
© 2006
Jim Sutton |
