Nightfall brought an end to the day's fighting. The cries of the dying could be heard calling out for help. Flashes of lightning revealed feral hogs moving among the dead. Wounded, helpless men cried out for a drink of water. One soldier said God must have heard them, for the heavens opened and it began to rain. That night Grant was found by General Sherman sitting under a distant tree, away from the horrible moans of the dying. Sherman remarked, "Well Grant, we've had the devil's own day haven't we?" "Yes," said Grant. "Lick em tomorrow though."
The next day Major General Buell arrived by steamboat with his army of seventy thousand, and eventually drove the rebel army from the field. It was a costly, bloody Northern victory.
What amazes me about this event is the response and attitude of General Grant. He had just suffered a horrible defeat on the first day of the battle. He had no idea that General Buell's army would arrive in the morning to rescue him from further death and defeat. He was surrounded in the darkness by the agonizing groans of his crushed troops. Yet, his response was, "Lick em tomorrow though."
The Apostle Paul had that same confidence. Even when Paul was faced with disappointment, danger, and discouragement, he held on to his unshakable trust in God. At times problems can seem like the attack of an angry swarm of hornets. Paul believed that God always has a way to turn things that look impossible around for victory. Paul understood that God has the final say in any spiritual battle. "You can trust God that He will not allow any temptation from becoming so strong that you can't stand up against it, for He does what He promised, and will do what He says. He will show you how to escape temptations power, so you will be able to endure." 1 Cor. 10:13
Every day is a new day. "Weeping may endure for a night, but joy cometh in the morning." Ps. 30:5
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