These are the times that try men’s souls. The summer soldier and the sunshine patriot will, in this crisis, shrink from the service of their country; but he that stands by it now, deserves the love and thanks of man and woman. Tyranny, like hell, is not easily conquered; yet we have this consolation with us, that the harder the conflict, the more glorious the triumph.[i]
Thomas Paine’s words burn hot emotion into our souls as he remarked about this historical day in history. Perhaps no other general led his bedraggled men to victory like George Washington. Without his leadership, defeat would have been certain.
Don’t we all need a General Washington in our lives? When our souls toil through bitter cold and we have no hope of waking alive in the morning, such a leader pushes us forward and on to victory.
An impossible battle is all the sweeter after it’s won.
Are you facing a personal battle in your soul? Every one of us shares that common denominator of life, whether it’s in the past, present, or future.
If you have run with footmen and they have tired you out, then how can you compete with horses? If you fall down in a land of peace, how will you do in the thicket of the Jordan? ~ Jeremiah 12:5 NASB.
The Lord will lift us up in the battle and will fight for us. We must never stop trying, never give in, no matter how difficult.
How do we go to battle?
When you go out to battle against your enemies and see horses and chariots and people more numerous than you, do not be afraid of them; for the Lord your God, who brought you up from the land of Egypt, is with you. When you are approaching the battle, the priest shall come near and speak to the people. He shall say to them, ‘Hear, O Israel, you are approaching the battle against your enemies today. Do not be fainthearted. Do not be afraid, or panic, or tremble before them, for the Lord your God is the one who goes with you, to fight for you against your enemies, to save you’ ~ Deuteronomy 20:1-4 NASB.
Go with God and be more than a conqueror. Remember, the harder the conflict, the more glorious the triumph.
[i] “Washington leads troops on raid at Trenton, New Jersey.” History.com. http://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/washington-leads-troops-on-raid-at-trenton-new-jersey (accessed September 2, 2016).