Before We Get Gathered
Number 7: November 29, 2005
An old friend of my daughter’s stopped by before returning to Iraq soon. He is with the 3rd Brigade Combat Team which is being redeployed. As soon as he graduated high school, he was off to basic training, then infantry school, then Iraq for five months. His goal is to be a state trooper. To achieve that goal, he thought going into the military would not only be great preparation, but also give him an edge over the competition.
Since he has already been to Iraq once, he is better prepared for what to expect. He is not afraid of the unknown. Fear can be caused by ignorance or wrong teaching. Having been there already, doesn’t necessarily make it easier, but mentally, since he is not ignorant, he is not fearful.
Senior Chaplain Daniel Miller, who recently returned to Ft. Carson, oversaw the 250 chaplains in Iraq. As he traveled throughout Iraq, he saw that the biggest problem facing a soldier was fear. Many fear their fate. Some fear the strength of their relationships while they are away. Others fear their safety, while others fear being alone in a strange country away from the daily life they knew before coming to Iraq.
Proverbs 29:25:
The fear of man bringeth a snare: but whoso putteth his trust in the LORD shall be safe.
Psalm 34:4:
I sought the LORD, and he heard me, and delivered me from all my fears.
The answer to fear is to put your trust in God and God will deliver you. Prayer, talking to God, is a good way to put your trust in Him.
Philippians 4:6 and 7:
Be careful [anxious] for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God.
And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.
God is concerned about the safety of His people. When you pray, talk things over with Him, be specific, make requests. Put your trust in God, He can and will back up what He promises in His Word. He is a God of grace and mercy and forgiveness and wisdom.
Psalm 18:29:
For by thee [by God’s power] I have run through a troop [an invading army]; and by my God have I leaped over a wall [opposing army’s defenses].
Prayer for our military is needed. With spiritualism and idolatry running rampart, our country needs much prayer also, or being a state trooper may become more dangerous than going to Iraq.