Behind Enemy Lines
During the war in Vietnam, therewas an elite, top-secret group of Army Green Berets operating deepbehind enemy lines in Cambodia and Laos. According to our government,they weren’t there – they didn’t even exist. These warriors were partof a covert reconnaissance team that operated in small groups and underthe constant threat of death, known as the SOG. They carried noidentification and bore no markings to identify themselves as Americansoldiers. They used foreign weapons and often wore foreign militarycamouflage. Their top-secret missions revolved around collectingintelligence about enemy force strength and supply-lines, destroyingenemy encampments by calling down air strikes, and snatching prisoners.
SOG men spent day after day in the jungle carrying heavy loads. They’dbe physically drained, of course, but the mental exhaustion was evengreater. The incessant tension – constantly alert, constantly watching,constantly hiding, and constantly listening but never once speaking ina normal voice – knowing the slightest error meant likely death ordisappearing forever. The psychological toll was agonizing. When an SOGrecon team contacted the enemy, they were always outnumbered and oftensurrounded. A great many SOG missions ended with recon teams runningfor their lives, under heavy fire, hoping to be strapped to chordsdangling from a hovering helicopter and towed out of the unsympatheticjungle. (Information taken from Secret Commandos by John L. Plaster).
What does “enemy territory” look like to you? It could be your job, orit could even be your family? Have you ever felt like you’re being sentinto hostile territory again and again? I think this is the way Elijahwas feeling in 1 Kings 19, when he collapsed under a tree and beggedGod to just let him die. “It is too much, Lord,” he prayed. I betyou’ve been there too. It is too much! We can relate toElijah’s emotion. He’s been engaged in a fierce battle with darknessand the wicked rule of Ahab and Jezebel. After some seeminglyoverwhelming victories, Elijah still find himself running for his lifebecause of Jezebel’s violent threats.
Just like the guys running for their lives in the jungles of Cambodiaor Laos, Elijah was no coward. It was not a problem of faith. This isthe guy who spent years “behind enemy lines,” in Sidon – the kingdomruled by Jezebel’s wicked father. He raised the dead. His prayer keptrain from falling on the land for more than 3 years, and then heprophesied that an abundance of rain would develop from a cloud, “thesize of a man’s hand.” And the rain came down. Elijah was no coward,but he was in serious need of some downtime. How seriously do you takeyour personal need for rest?
The recon warriors of the SOG discovered its importance. Their formulasaid that it took a week of absolute rest to recover from each dayspent behind enemy lines. The Lord mixed a precise formula of rest forElijah, too. But then do you know what God did…? He sent His man backin. In fact, Elijah left this earth before Ahab and Jezebel were everremoved from power. However you define your “hostile jungle,” you’vegot to keep going back in. People are counting on you. Jesus said,“Come to Me… and I will give you rest.”
So, here’s my question… how do we “come to Him?” What will it take to get us to “get back in there?” Any comments?
Peace.
SJB
SOG men spent day after day in the jungle carrying heavy loads. They’dbe physically drained, of course, but the mental exhaustion was evengreater. The incessant tension – constantly alert, constantly watching,constantly hiding, and constantly listening but never once speaking ina normal voice – knowing the slightest error meant likely death ordisappearing forever. The psychological toll was agonizing. When an SOGrecon team contacted the enemy, they were always outnumbered and oftensurrounded. A great many SOG missions ended with recon teams runningfor their lives, under heavy fire, hoping to be strapped to chordsdangling from a hovering helicopter and towed out of the unsympatheticjungle. (Information taken from Secret Commandos by John L. Plaster).
What does “enemy territory” look like to you? It could be your job, orit could even be your family? Have you ever felt like you’re being sentinto hostile territory again and again? I think this is the way Elijahwas feeling in 1 Kings 19, when he collapsed under a tree and beggedGod to just let him die. “It is too much, Lord,” he prayed. I betyou’ve been there too. It is too much! We can relate toElijah’s emotion. He’s been engaged in a fierce battle with darknessand the wicked rule of Ahab and Jezebel. After some seeminglyoverwhelming victories, Elijah still find himself running for his lifebecause of Jezebel’s violent threats.
Just like the guys running for their lives in the jungles of Cambodiaor Laos, Elijah was no coward. It was not a problem of faith. This isthe guy who spent years “behind enemy lines,” in Sidon – the kingdomruled by Jezebel’s wicked father. He raised the dead. His prayer keptrain from falling on the land for more than 3 years, and then heprophesied that an abundance of rain would develop from a cloud, “thesize of a man’s hand.” And the rain came down. Elijah was no coward,but he was in serious need of some downtime. How seriously do you takeyour personal need for rest?
The recon warriors of the SOG discovered its importance. Their formulasaid that it took a week of absolute rest to recover from each dayspent behind enemy lines. The Lord mixed a precise formula of rest forElijah, too. But then do you know what God did…? He sent His man backin. In fact, Elijah left this earth before Ahab and Jezebel were everremoved from power. However you define your “hostile jungle,” you’vegot to keep going back in. People are counting on you. Jesus said,“Come to Me… and I will give you rest.”
So, here’s my question… how do we “come to Him?” What will it take to get us to “get back in there?” Any comments?
Peace.
SJB
Scott Bane
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This is a powerful point that Phil is making. There were many days whenI would have done anything else if there were anything else to do.
Think about this... Deut. 8:2 says that it was the Lord who allowed Hispeople to hunger in the wilderness and fed them with manna, that Hemight teach them that they don't live on bread alone, but on every Wordof God. I think sometimes need is what the Holy Spirit uses to bring out the questions God wants to answer.
For those of you who don't know... Phil Stephenson IS the verydefinition of Christian Special Forces! He's in the North of Englandright now and about to launch a brand new church this Easter weekend.You're one of true heroes, Phil and I pray for you every day.
I urge anyone reading this to check out Phil's blog. Now that I have the address, you'll be able to reach it on my blog roll.
Two main things keep me in it and going back in.
What keeps me in it:
To elaborate on what Phil said about feeling like quitting is not an option — have you ever come to the place where even if you wanted to quit you don't know how? I mean really, how do you quit?Where do you begin?
I think of Peter after the multitudes leave Jesus and He then asks Peter "Are you going to leave me too? If so go now." and Peter replies "Where would I go?"
Again, I come to this primal thing within me that realizes no matter what is thrown my way, I know tomorrow I will wake up and the sun will rise. And if whatever "it" is does kill me then I will be with Him. To live is Christ and to die is gain!
What makes me go back in:
Again I look to Peter - Jesus asks him "Do you love me? Well then feed my sheep." - Others is what makes me go back in.
I often meditate on verses like "There are many teachers but not many fathers." or "Jesus looked out into the multitude and was moved with compassion..."
I feel a responsibilty to others. I remember who I once was.
More and more, I'm understanding that the pearl of great price is people.
On a practical level, you'll get charged by doing one thing - learn to commune with Jesus. Sit in a room all by yourself and just talk with Him. Drink from His cup, it satisfies. Eat His flesh, it satisfies. Present your body as a living sacrifice, this is your form of spiritual worship. Presenting the flesh is spiritual! It's worship, it's communion!
Peace!
What is this about a Brotherhood? Surely you are not forgetting your sisters-in-Christ who have wonderful, witty insight as well! Just kidding. I have nothing insightful to add at this time.
Pastor Scott, I really am enjoying the blog. This teaching on Behind Enemy Lines ministered to me so much at the time of my grandmother's passing. The fact that you shared the truth so clearly about what was really going on instead of just saying all the right comforting phrases blessed me so much. I am glad to be able to again meditate on this thought now that I'm on the other side of it. I am looking at going to visit family for an extended period this summer as well, and can go with the knowledge and equipment to not only survive behind those enemy lines, but this time to bring others out with me.
Pastor Scott, I am really enjoying the