It has been said that Marines are taught to dig a foxhole big enough for a friend. When the battle becomes fierce, “two are better than one”!
Life is difficult as it is, but becomes nearly impossible if you do not have someone in your foxhole.
Elijah the prophet had a tendency to fight alone. He took on several hundred prophets of Baal and won an incredible victory with God on his side. However, shortly thereafter, he reached a point of asking God to allow him to die because he was alone. You can read his dilemma in 1 Kings 19.
During the Civil War Abraham Lincoln once received a request to pardon a soldier sentenced to be executed for desertion. The man didn’t have a single letter of support vouching for him. Next morning the officer was shocked to hear Lincoln say that the testimony of a friend had sealed his decision to pardon the man. When the officer reminded the President that the request had come with no letter of reference, Lincoln simply stated, “I will be his friend” then signed the pardon!
Take some time to reflect on those who have been in your foxhole with you during the fierce battles of your life.
If you don’t have a foxhole big enough for two, you could become like Elijah and “wish to die”.
Mike
September 27th, 2008 at 1:01 pm
Mike, what a powerful piece. Over the years, I have grown to recognize and appreciate the need for community and spiritual support. (I was once one of those walk-in-the-woods-and-talk-to-God-by-myself guys; this can be good for reflection at times, but it certainly cannot be one’s entire spiritual life.)
Sometimes all it takes is a gentle touch, a smile, a word of support to bring joy to another.
Thanks, and I will certainly dig my foxhole big enough to two … or more. God bless.
September 28th, 2008 at 2:56 pm
Daddy Mike,
I am so blessed God put you in my life so many years ago to mentor me and love me no matter what. I am comforted with the fact that I know you are always praying for me and that I know you know where I am in my life and you understand me right now probably more than anyone else in my life does. Thank you for checking in on me and for sending me these articles and the scriptures for my daily “prescriptions”. I am so blessed to have always had you in my foxhole with me and I am conforted to know that you’ll always be there with me to fight this battle I am currently going through in my life. With God on my side and with my family and friends like you, how can I possibly feel alone in my foxhole? I love you and I thank God for you! Love ALWAYS! MillieNona