We Have Our Marching Orders
“Some trust in chariots and some in horses but we will remember the name of the LORD our God.” Psalm 20:7 NKJV
“These are the times that try men’s souls,” is a quotation taken from a pamphlet written some time ago by Thomas Paine. He wrote these words during the time that America was in crisis during the American Revolutionary War.
Thomas Paine, known as the father of the revolution, was a high-school drop-out who worked for his father and was fired by him two times. But he later took up journalism, and became a respected writer who was very vocal about world peace. He gained the respect of General George Washington, and his pamphlet series called The American Crisis helped to inspire the formation of the US Army.
The American Revolutionary War (April 19, 1775 – September 3, 1783), also known as the Revolutionary War or American War of Independence, secured a United States of America independent from Great Britain. Fighting began on April 19, 1775, followed by the Declaration of Independence on July 4, 1776. The American Patriots were supported by France and Spain, conflict taking place in North America, the Caribbean, and Atlantic Ocean.
The American Revolutionary war was primarily caused by colonial opposition to British attempts to impose greater control over the colonies and to make them repay the crown for its defense of them during the French and Indian War.
I didn’t get this then, when I was back in high-school and I certainly had no intention of going back there now. But Paine’s words resounded in me, having learned them back in high school, when we had to memorize and recite them. Some brevity of them rang in my ear when I began to think about, and ponder why we, America, are in the state that we’re in right now. These are trying times, and it dawned on me that America is in Crisis, again. Thomas Paine’s sentiments seemed to be relevant to where we find ourselves today, and we need to be encouraged again.
The more I read about Thomas Paine and the Revolution, I felt like I was drowning, in a sea of questions, trying to find rest for my soul in light of the most recent events facing our country. The fact that the war went on so long was implication that we are in a fierce battle that already has gone on too long. While back in the day we were fighting for the rights to Molasses, Sugar, Currency and Stamp, all legitimate concerns of the times, today we must contend with Covid, The War in Ukraine, Monkey-Pox, Mass Shootings, Crime, Mental Illness, and Homelessness in our streets. I am concerned about the safety of my 5th grade grandson who attends Oyster Bay Elementary School, and my 2 year old grandson who is in daycare. I am concerned about my safety and that of my husband and my son, Black men who drive up and down our streets daily.
I don’t know if it’s going to take a war like the Revolution, but I recognize that we are in fierce combat and it looks like the enemy is winning. These truly are the times that try men’s souls. While we bear much of the responsibility for what is happening in our world, we are powerless because we are prayer-less. We can call for stricter gun laws and we should, but we cannot legislate a heart. We can march and protest and we should, but we cannot change a heart.
Although hundreds of years ago, delving into the cause and effect surrounding the history of the Revolutionary War, created anxiety in me. Feeling helpless and hopeless in these times, I found no relief except to pray, “Come Lord Jesus. Come!” I know that no matter what it looks like, or what it feels like, He is our hope. He is our help. He is our Banner. He is our Shield. We are soldiers in His army.
Thomas Paine encouraged the American soldiers with these words; and they are as relevant today as they were then:
“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. What we obtain too cheap, we esteem too lightly: it is dearness only that gives everything its value. Heaven knows how to put a proper price upon its goods; and it would be strange indeed if so celestial an article as FREEDOM should not be highly rated.”
Very powerful words, and fitting for our times today. But if we are going to win the war we’re in, we must be obedient to the Word, and the strategy that the Lord has given us in Ephesians 6:10-18: The Whole Armor of God
10 Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might. 11 Put on the whole armor of God that you may be able to stand against the [a]wiles of the devil. 12 For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of [b]the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places. 13 Therefore take up the whole armor of God that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.
14 Stand therefore, having girded your waist with truth, having put on the breastplate of righteousness, 15 and having shod your feet with the preparation of the gospel of peace; 16 above all, taking the shield of faith with which you will be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked one. 17 And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God; 18 praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, being watchful to this end with all perseverance and supplication for all the saints—Read full chapter.
Thomas Paine is noted to have been anti-slavery and anti-Christian. In his writing “The Age of Reason,” he seems to know a lot about the Lord, but in his lifetime, he never embraced Him. And much like Paul, before his conversion on the Damascus Road, Paine persecuted the church .His blinded eyes were never opened. Therefore, denounced by many of his friends, he died at the age of 72. Because of his outspoken position against the Church, as politically encouraging as he was, he vehemently fought against the Church, and was rejected by many. Death was his only friend, and when he died only three people attended his funeral, two of which were freed Black men.