After the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor on December 7, 1941, Japanese naval commanders praised Admiral Isoroku Yamamoto, the supreme Naval commander for the Japanese Empire, for planning the attack that severely damaged American naval forces. It is purported that Admiral Yamamoto said, “I fear all we have done is to awaken a sleeping giant and fill him with a terrible resolve.”
It is further reported that while his staff members were celebrating, Yamamoto spent the day after Pearl Harbor “sunk in apparent depression” as the attack happened while the countries were still at peace, making the incident an unprovoked surprise attack that enraged American public opinion. Admiral Yamamoto was correct – the attack on Pearl Harbor did fill a sleeping giant (America) with a terrible resolve.
When America was founded, colonists fought against the largest military force in the world. Outnumbered, outspent, out-supplied, how was it possible that a rag-tag bunch of militia could win against the mighty British Empire? Despite facing tremendous obstacles, better-trained armies, and more weapons, the Colonists did win against all odds, which is why the American Revolution stands out strongly in history.
One of the main reasons for the Colonists’ victory against the British was their spy network. In British-overtaken New York, the Colonists had an undercover spy network that consisted of spies who were either pretending to be part of the British army or who were rebels stuck in the city keeping very close tabs on British officers. They passed messages to each other (and in the end, to George Washington) using invisible ink.
Next, the Colonists made an alliance with France who sent in generals (namely Marquis de Lafayette) to train the Colonist forces and to discipline them. This training increased the Colonists’ chances by giving them better weapons (bayonets), new training, and most importantly, a new disciplined attitude.
The Colonists used a new style of battle – snipers and sneak attacks. In the woody terrain, snipers were ferocious in battle. They hid in the forest, hiding behind trees and taking out British soldiers using their “Pennsylvania Rifles” (long rifles) as they passed. This was a devastating blow to the British forces as all British generals were assassinated when encountered by the Colonists.
Disease was another factor, with smallpox being a gigantic problem for both sides, which eventually turned into an advantage for the Colonists. With the disease spreading through British and American troops, the Americans had the ingenuity to develop a method for immunity – vaccines. They took a tiny amount of the pox from a sick person and put it into a healthy person to form antibodies. The British had not yet discovered this method and continued to lose soldiers quickly.
Leadership is a huge key in any war. With George Washington as the Commander in Chief of the rebel armies, he kept the Colonists inspired to fight for over six years. His strong leadership presence and fortitude held the American military together long enough to secure the defeat of the British. Washington was a man of prayer and sought God’s guidance daily.
The Battle of Bunker Hill was a turning point in the Revolutionary War. Though the Colonists were defeated at Bunker Hill, it changed the course of the war as they managed to kill important British leaders, giving the Colonists confidence once those casualties were inflicted.
Against all odds, the Colonists went on to defeat the British in the American Revolution because of brilliant strategies, leadership, help from another country, their individual burning desire for liberty, and, most importantly, their devotion to seek God’s protection.
You may be asking yourself what this history lesson has to do with a ministry. It’s simple. Today we, individually, and as a country are facing a tyrant every bit as big and unyielding as the British Empire. Our families, communities, and country are filled with apathy, depression, and lack of hope. Christians know where hope is found … it is found in Jesus Christ. The tyrant we face is pure evil.
Many say the church, our country, and the human race as a whole are too far gone to ever come back. I beg to differ … this is our finest hour … keep the focus on Jesus … share the love and hope of a magnificent savior. Against all odds, Christ will win!
Debby Efurd is co-founder of Cary John Efurd Ministries. Learn more about the ministry by liking our Facebook page (https://www.facebook.com/CJEMinistries) and downloading our FREE mobile app (get.theapp.co) from App Store or Google Play. Once downloaded, allow notifications to keep you up to date on what’s happening in Cary John Efurd Ministries. Debby can be contacted at caryjohnefurdministries@gmail.com. Feel free to comment at debbyefurd.com.
