The Captain And The General

Do Not Fear

A story is told of a Captain who in the field of battle ran to his General and exclaimed, “General, Sir, we cannot hope to win, we are overwhelmed! The enemy is far too numerous!”

The Captain was almost crying.

The General in measured tones,  glared at the terrified Captain and said, “Captain, we are not here to count the enemy but conquer them, and conquer them we must. Go back to the front-line and fight!”

This world is frightening world, and in the battlefield of life, sometimes we are gripped with  paralyzing fear.

Abraham Lincoln once, said, that we are not to take counsel of our own fears.

The spirit of fear could weaken our faith. Once fear takes hold of us, we are defeated. Human capacity is inadequate to wrestle with the troubles we face. But time and again God has proven His faithfulness and power to win victories in our struggles if only we could trust Him fully, and rely upon His strength. 

God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in times of trouble, therefore we will not fear (Psalm 46:1-2) declares the Psalmist. In ancient times, God through the prophet Isaiah spoke mightily to His people: “When you pass through the waters, I will be with you, and through the rivers they will not overflow you. When you walk through the fire, you will not be scorched, not will the flame burn you(Isaiah 43:2)

Three analogies are presented here: water, river, and fire.

Passing through the waters speaks of the depth of our troubles. Passing through rivers speaks of the force and turbulence of our troubles. And passing through the fire speaks of the intensity of our trials. The God, Creator of this Universe, and the Giver of life assures His people that though they had to go through the waters, rivers and fire of testing, He will be with  them, and they will not be overwhelmed.

What a comforting thought.