By Gary Woodall
The surprise attack on Pearl Harbor December 7th, 1941, was planned by Japanese Admiral Isoroku Yamamato. It has been widely reported that he wrote in his diary after the attack:
“I fear all we have done is to awaken a sleeping giant and fill him with a terrible resolve.”
The attack did awaken a sleeping giant. It was a spark that ignited our nation to do whatever it took to emerge victorious. By God’s good grace and providential care, America had the people, the money, resources, technology, industrial production capability, and most importantly the resolve and determination to defeat Japan, Germany, and the Axis powers. The war effort revealed what was to become known as our “greatest generation.” Japan was utterly defeated and surrendered unconditionally to the United States.
As the church of Christ we do not fight a fleshly war but a spiritual war.
“For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war according to the flesh” (II Cor. 10:3).
“For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the powers, against the world forces of this darkness, against the spiritual forces of wickedness in the heavenly places. …take THE HELMET OF SALVATION, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God” (Eph. 6:12-17, NASB). (Please read the full scripture.)
We can push back the forces of evil. We can practice Christ-likeness (I Cor. 11:1, Matt. 10:25, I John 12:6, Rom. 8:29, et al.) by going about to seek and save the lost (Luke 19:10).
Like America in 1941, by God’s good grace and providential care, the church has the people, money, resources, technology, and capability. We need the resolve and determination to get it done! We have a campaign coming up this summer to show the love of God and proclaim the gospel to our own community. You don’t have to wait until July, there are opportunities every day to bear fruit for God. Don’t miss those opportunities. In 2022 let it be said we were awakened from being a sleeping giant and went forth as a united, determined people resolved to overcome the forces of evil around about us. Let’s make ours the “greatest generation” in the spread of God’s word. Let’s be about our Father’s business and bear fruit for the Lord!