As the New Year approached at the end of 1776, the hopes of the Continental Army were indeed bleak. For much of the year, they had been on the losing end of the battles they fought, and the enemy seemed to have the upper hand in all respects. To compound their problems, the revolutionary forces were out-gunned and out-resourced. As winter closed in on them, they were low on supplies, equipment, and uniforms. Though they had recently won a Christmastime victory at Trenton a few days before that could have boosted morale, the entire army was afforded the opportunity to permanently leave their spots on the battlefront when the terms of their enlistment ended as the calendar turned to 1777. The only hope of an independent America was men who would step forward and volunteer to remain in the battle. In the waning hours of 1776, General Washington addressed his troops with the following words:
“My brave fellows, you have done all I asked you to do, and more than could be reasonably expected, but your country is at stake, your wives, your houses, and all that you hold dear. You have worn yourselves out with fatigues and hardships, but we know not how to spare you. If you will consent to stay one month longer, you will render that service to the cause of liberty, and to your country, which you can probably never do under any other circumstance.”
Nathanael Greene wrote the about the men’s response. “God Almighty inclined their hearts to listen to the proposal and they engaged anew.” One-by-one, men stepped forward to renew their commitment to the cause and reaffirm their dedication through reenlistment.
As you prayerfully consider how you will be about your Father’s business in 2014, do not be deterred by an enemy that seems to have the upper hand. Do not be concerned that American Christians seem out-gunned and out-resourced. Do not be tempted to walk away from the battle with our country at stake. Though we are worn out, our nation’s only hope is Christians who would step forward to remain in the battle and reenlist in the fight. All we hold dear is at stake.
PLEASE PRAY THAT GOD ALMIGHTY WOULD INCLINE OUR HEARTS TO LISTEN TO HIS CALLING FOR US IN 2014. He would have us engage anew