Dear SCC & Friends,
Stand in the gap… ~Ezekial 22:30
Reflection #278
Joshua Chamberlain commanded the 20th Maine at the Battle of Gettysburg on July 2, 1863. Over 170,000 soldiers assembled for a 3-day battle which would determine the course of the American Civil War. Chamberlain’s orders were to hold the high ground of “Little Round Top” at all cost. A breach in their line would allow the Confederates to break through and outflank the entire Union Army. Six months earlier, the 20th Maine had 1,000 men and by the morning of July 2nd only 300 remained…and by late afternoon of that same day, they were down to 80. They had repelled six horrific attacks, and a seventh assault was imminent. Chamberlain, badly wounded, would later write in his memoirs… “I knew I might die, but I also knew that I would not die with a bullet in my back. I would not die in retreat.” He credited his faith for the ability to press on… Greatly outnumbered and with no ammunition, Chamberlain commanded his men to counterattack with fixed bayonets. They charged straight downhill into a hail of live gunfire followed by fierce hand-to-hand combat. Their actions were so brazen and unexpected that it confused and caught their enemy completely off guard. In short order, and against all probabilities they turned the tide of certain defeat into an overwhelming victory.
One person doing the right thing at the right time for the right reason can change the course of history. Joshua Chamberlain had been a Sunday school teacher and sang in the church choir. At the Battle of Gettysburg it is fair to say that his singular leadership and courage changed the course of the Civil War. It’s also fair to say that standing in the gap by the 20thMaine changed the course of American and World history. If the South had won the war, we most likely would have become two countries, or have been fragmented into nation states like Europe. Chamberlain and his men could not have known the far-reaching ramifications of their courage on future generations… He simply gave his all and did what he had to do, when it had to be done… It was not the “Divided States” but the United States that would one day have the strength and power to fight and win on two fronts against Nazi Germany and Imperial Japan. Joshua Chamberlain took his place and stood in the gap…protecting a heritage of self-evident truths for Americans yet to be born… He was subsequently awarded the Congressional Medal of Honor. This is our time to stand in the gap… whenever and wherever the Lord calls us for His honor and glory… A grateful and happy Fourth of July to you and yours… Freedom is never free… Keep up the good work!
Standing in the gap,
Kevin