During a trip a few years back, Pastor Chad and I stopped at the Antietam battlefield in Western Maryland. If you’re a student of American history, you know that the Battle of Antietam was the bloodiest battle of the Civil War, with almost 23,000 casualties and over 3,600 killed on that fateful September day in 1862.
Strategically, during battles of that time, the major objective was to try and “out-flank” your opponent—coming at them from an angle they didn’t expect and weren’t prepared for. Using this strategy, Generals Joseph Hooker and George B. McClellan (Union), as well as Robert E. Lee and Thomas “Stonewall” Jackson (Confederate), traded attacks in and around the forests and corn fields of Antietam, with the Union ultimately gaining the upper hand, despite suffering more casualties.
Though marred with the greatest loss of life America had ever seen, the Battle of Antietam gave President Abraham Lincoln a “victory” that he used to deliver the Emancipation Proclamation, forever altering the nature and landscape of the Civil War and American society.
Like in the Civil War, our enemy knows our position and weak points. He is experienced at “out-flanking” believers—coming at us from an angle we do not expect and for which we are not prepared (1 Peter 5:8). Of course, the major difference between the Civil War and the Great Controversy is that the latter has already been won. We serve a God who has already prevailed (John 16:33) and has given us the privilege of helping Him spread the Message so fighting can cease once and for all. The Apostle Paul wrote:
…then the saying that is written will come true: death has been swallowed up in victory.”
1 Corinthians 15:54b
Throughout the week, the devil may try to “out-flank” you. Use prayer to seek God’s will—His strategy for your life. Claim this promise:
“But the Lord is faithful. He will establish you and guard you against the evil one.”
2 Thessalonians 3:3
As a pastoral team, we’re praying for you.