Courageous!
Be strong and courageous…for the LORD
your God will be with you wherever you go.
Joshua 1:9
As Mr. Croskey related his harrowing
story I was amazed at the calm in his voice, “Have you ever seen
that TV show, Deadliest Catch,” he asked? I nodded that I
had. “Some of the shows were shot in the North Atlantic,” he
said. “It was 1940. Our Third Infantry was headed for France by way
of Halifax, Nova Scotia. The wind was up and the seas were rolling at
about ten feet. Then, all of a sudden, these forty footers came up
outta nowhere.” His voice showed no sign that he’d experienced
fear; he simply related the details of the event. “The Skipper
turned that boat into the waves and said over the intercom, ‘Grab
hold of something men…we’re in for a bit of a ride.’”
“Some of the men didn’t handle it
so well,” he chuckled, and continued, “…especially when the
stern popped outta the water! Why, that huge propeller spun so fast
it shook the whole boat as if it was comin’ apart!” he laughed.
“It was a wild ride, it was. Beat us up for the better part of a
day before we made Halifax. Never forget somethin’ like that, you
don’t,” he said.
I just had to ask the obvious, “Were
you afraid?”
“You know,” he smiled, “I knew
God was there with me, and that I had nothin’ to fear. Besides…”
his smile widened, “times like that let you know you’re alive!”
†
God called Joshua to be strong and
courageous, not because Joshua wanted to be, but because
circumstances demanded courage.
Likewise, our courageous service men
and women are called to face circumstances that demand they rise to
the occasion. Hopefully, like Mr. Croskey, they enter the battle
knowing that God is always with them, watching over them like He did
Joshua.
Our freedom was not, nor will it ever
be, free. A high price is always demanded. The next time you see a
veteran, take a moment to say, “Thank you for my freedom.”
Prayer
“Father of courage, may
I never forget that You are always with me. Thank You for the
strength to face the trials of life. In Jesus’ Name, amen.”
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