"Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age." -- Matthew 28:19-20
In 1776, General George Washington led his small and bedraggled army in a daring raid on British and Hessian troops at Trenton, New Jersey, during the American Revolution. Just prior to launching boats from McKonkey's Ferry across the Delaware River, Washington had an excerpt from Thomas Paine's inspirational pamphlet, "The Crisis" (published two days earlier), read aloud to the army. The pamphlet began: “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.”
The beginning and developing years of the early church were going to be a great challenge and would certainly try the souls of believers. Before the day of march, Jesus gave a great commission and words of encouragement. The work would change people and nations for God and the Lord himself would accompany His army. While the tyranny of sin was rampant and the conflict hard, through the power of Christ, the triumph would be glorious.
Do you often feel like the battle is too great and the resources are too little? Be strong in the Lord and stand firm in the face of evil. The Lord has called you to be far more than a summer soldier or sunshine patriot. He promised to stand by your side as you set people free from the tyranny of sin through the power of His gospel. No matter how hard the conflict, keep making disciples for Jesus and the triumph will be glorious.
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