An incident comes down to us from the Napoleonic wars that beautifully illustrates how our God is capable of doing for us the things we are not capable of doing for ourselves. It concerns the citizens of Feldkirch, Austria, who found themselves under siege by the greatest enemy of their day. The story goes as follows:
They didn’t exactly know what to do. Napoleon’s massive army was preparing to attack. Soldiers had been spotted on the heights above the little town, which was situated on the Austrian border. A council of citizens was hastily summoned to decide whether they should try to defend themselves or display the white flag of surrender.
It happened to be Easter Sunday, and the people had gathered in the local church. The pastor rose and said, "Friends, we have been counting on our own strength, and apparently that has failed. As this is the day of our Lord’s resurrection, let us just ring the bells, have our services as usual, and leave the matter in His hands. We know only our weakness, and not the power of God to defend us."
The council accepted his plan and the church bells rang. The enemy, hearing the sudden peal, concluded that the Austrian army had arrived during the night to defend the town. Before the service ended, the enemy broke camp and left.
Is the enemy at your gate? Are you facing a seemingly insurmountable obstacle? Is there no hope? Then do what the citizens of Feldkirch did. Turn it over to God. He fears no enemy. No obstacle is insurmountable to Him. He alone gives us hope.
King David of old understood this. He knew what it was like to be mistreated, to be falsely accused, and to be hunted by those who would do him harm. He also knew that God was His only true refuge. And in God he placed his trust.
This is why He cried out and gave us these immortal words:
1 The LORD is my shepherd, I shall not be in want. 2 He makes me lie down in green pastures, he leads me beside quiet waters, 3 he restores my soul. He guides me in paths of righteousness for his name's sake. 4 Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me. 5 You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies. You anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows. 6 Surely goodness and love will follow me all the days of my life, and I will dwell in the house of the LORD forever.
Amen.
My particular source was for this illustration can be found at: http://greenbaggins.wordpress.com/2008/04/20/the-helmet-of-salvation/; however, the story itself is readily available all over the web.
They didn’t exactly know what to do. Napoleon’s massive army was preparing to attack. Soldiers had been spotted on the heights above the little town, which was situated on the Austrian border. A council of citizens was hastily summoned to decide whether they should try to defend themselves or display the white flag of surrender.
It happened to be Easter Sunday, and the people had gathered in the local church. The pastor rose and said, "Friends, we have been counting on our own strength, and apparently that has failed. As this is the day of our Lord’s resurrection, let us just ring the bells, have our services as usual, and leave the matter in His hands. We know only our weakness, and not the power of God to defend us."
The council accepted his plan and the church bells rang. The enemy, hearing the sudden peal, concluded that the Austrian army had arrived during the night to defend the town. Before the service ended, the enemy broke camp and left.
Is the enemy at your gate? Are you facing a seemingly insurmountable obstacle? Is there no hope? Then do what the citizens of Feldkirch did. Turn it over to God. He fears no enemy. No obstacle is insurmountable to Him. He alone gives us hope.
King David of old understood this. He knew what it was like to be mistreated, to be falsely accused, and to be hunted by those who would do him harm. He also knew that God was His only true refuge. And in God he placed his trust.
This is why He cried out and gave us these immortal words:
1 The LORD is my shepherd, I shall not be in want. 2 He makes me lie down in green pastures, he leads me beside quiet waters, 3 he restores my soul. He guides me in paths of righteousness for his name's sake. 4 Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me. 5 You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies. You anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows. 6 Surely goodness and love will follow me all the days of my life, and I will dwell in the house of the LORD forever.
Amen.
My particular source was for this illustration can be found at: http://greenbaggins.wordpress.com/2008/04/20/the-helmet-of-salvation/; however, the story itself is readily available all over the web.