When I was a young girl I learned, whether by verbal lesson, example, or implication, I cannot recall, however, a lesson worth remembering. It was that when walking with a gentleman, boy, male, whether family member, friend, or love interest, they should walk on the outside and the lady, girl, female would walk on the inside. The outside would be the closest to traffic or danger, and the boy would be able to protect the girl in the event of an accident or unfortunate occurrence. If hiking or just walking through tall grass or unknown territory, the man would go first with the woman behind so that he could clear the path for her and protect her from any unforeseen critters or pitfalls. My husband has always done this for me, which I appreciate, therefore, this lesson must have been passed down to him also, for which I am grateful. Sadly, many common courtesies, etiquettes, and manners we knew in our generation have been forgotten or abandoned now.
You may say they were old fashioned and outdated anyway, so what’s the big deal, however, you would not be entirely correct. These principles are found being used in a multiplicity of areas in life. A ‘ladies first’ approach when opening a door and entering a room is still around, as well as allowing the elderly or children to be rescued first in a life or death situation. We have guides that lead us on a hike with the same concept in mind as aforementioned, to clear any harm out of the way for his followers, or you have a skier who will go down the slope before the rest of the group goes to make sure it is safe. We also have forerunners in political campaigns who pave the way for the candidates as a precursor, indicating that there is someone or something on the horizon forthcoming. In the late 1800s and early 1900s, according to an internet source, “Presidential candidates initially did not travel to campaign: they were called to be the nominees, but it was considered inappropriate to ask voters directly to vote for them. Thus, it was up to local supporters to organize campaign events and speak on their behalf.” Theodore Roosevelt was quite involved in politics in New York before he ever became president in 1901, and he viewed the political campaign process like this, “The organization of a party in our city is much like that of an army. There is one great central boss, assisted by some trusted and able lieutenants; these communicate with the different district bosses, whom they alternately bully and assist. The district boss in turn has a number of half-subordinates, half-allies, under him; these latter choose the captains of the election districts, etc., and come into contact with the common heelers.”
An excellent example of this in scripture was Jesus’ cousin, John the Baptist, who was prophesied about in Isaiah 40:3 which said, “The voice of him that crieth in the wilderness, prepare ye the way of the Lord, make straight in the desert a highway for our God.” and we see this come to fruition in Matthew 3:1-12, “In those days came John the Baptist, preaching in the wilderness of Judaea, And saying, Repent ye: for the kingdom of heaven is at hand. For this is he that was spoken of by the prophet Esaias, saying, the voice of one crying in the wilderness, prepare ye the way of the Lord, make his paths straight. And the same John had his raiment of camel’s hair, and a leathern girdle about his loins; and his meat was locusts and wild honey. Then went out to him Jerusalem, and all Judaea, and all the region round about Jordan, and were baptized of him in Jordan, confessing their sins. But when he saw many of the Pharisees and Sadducees come to his baptism, he said unto them, O generation of vipers, who hath warned you to flee from the wrath to come? Bring forth therefore fruits meet for repentance: And think not to say within yourselves, we have Abraham to our father: for I say unto you, that God is able of these stones to raise up children unto Abraham. And now also the axe is laid unto the root of the trees: therefore, every tree which bringeth not forth good fruit is hewn down and cast into the fire. I indeed baptize you with water unto repentance. but he that cometh after me is mightier than I, whose shoes I am not worthy to bear he shall baptize you with the Holy Ghost, and with fire: Whose fan is in his hand, and he will thoroughly purge his floor, and gather his wheat into the garner; but he will burn up the chaff with unquenchable fire.” Though this was not politically based, those in power felt it to be a threat. John the Baptist really made his presence known, definitely got everyone’s attention and shook things up!
The US Army (and probably any military group to some degree) work based on what is known as fundamental reconnaissance, with specialized forces leading this effort. Reconnaissance according to the dictionary simply put is a survey (as of enemy territory) to gain information, a preliminary survey to gain information especially as in an exploratory military survey of enemy territory, surveillance, counterintelligence, spying, espionage and more. From the “Reconnaissance Platoon” manual from April 2013, distributed by the Department of the Army, we see this explanation of their role.
“The fundamental role of the reconnaissance platoon is to conduct aggressive and stealthy missions that satisfy the commander’s critical information requirements (CCIRs). The commander gives missions to the platoon and the platoon progressively builds SA of the OE for the commander. The critical information provided by the platoon enables the commander to develop situational understanding (SU), make comprehensive plans and decisions, and direct follow-on or future operations. 2-2. The CCIR is an information requirement identified by the commander as being critical for facilitating timely decision-making and successful execution of military operations. Two key elements are friendly force information requirements and priority intelligence requirements (PIR). The commander chooses whether to designate an information requirement as a CCIR based on likely decisions and visualization of the mission’s course, which may support one or more decisions.”
The army scout comprehensive guide to duties states this,
“US Army Scouts are responsible for gathering intelligence information about enemy forces to inform strategic decision-making. They undergo rigorous training in physical endurance, combat skills, map-reading/navigation using GPS technology, and radio communication techniques. Scouts must move quickly and quietly through hostile environments while carrying heavy equipment. They play an essential role in shaping strategic decisions through their intelligence-gathering activities and have access to advanced technology such as drones that enhance situational awareness during reconnaissance missions. Becoming a successful US Army Scout requires discipline, dedication, attention to detail, physical fitness endurance skills and a keen sense of observation while maintaining personal safety paramount when assigned duties.”
This is not a new concept, as we know all great ideas come from the Lord who created heaven and earth and us. One example is found in Numbers chapter 13. “And the Lord spoke unto Moses, saying, “Send thou men, that they may search the land of Canaan, which I give unto the children of Israel: of every tribe of their fathers shall ye send a man, everyone a ruler among them. And Moses sent them to spy out the land of Canaan, and said unto them, get you up this way southward, and go up into the mountain:
And see the land, what it is, and the people that dwelleth therein, whether they be strong or weak, few or many; And what the land is that they dwell in, whether it be good or bad; and what cities they be that they dwell in, whether in tents, or in strong holds. And they returned from searching of the land after forty days.” In the reconnaissance report, it was told that the land was beautiful, they brought back fruit to show the people, however, the land was also filled with powerful men who were viewed as giants in comparison to them. We know the end of this story did not end well for the children of Israel because of their own fear and disbelief. There were twelve spies sent out, but only two had faith enough to believe they could take the land.
Another example of this is found in the Old Testament in Joshua chapter 2. Let’s look at just a portion of the story. “And Joshua the son of Nun sent out of Shittim two men to spy secretly, saying, Go view the land, even Jericho. And they went, and came into a harlot’s house, named Rahab, and lodged there. And it was told the king of Jericho, saying, Behold, there came men in hither to night of the children of Israel to search out the country. And the king of Jericho sent unto Rahab, saying, bring forth the men that are come to thee, which are entered into thine house: for they be come to search out all the country. She had brought them up to the roof of the house, and hid them with the stalks of flax, which she had laid in order upon the roof. And the men pursued after them the way to Jordan unto the fords: and as soon as they which pursued after them were gone out, they shut the gate. And she said unto the men, I know that the Lord hath given you the land. Now therefore, I pray you, swear unto me by the Lord, since I have shewed you kindness, that ye will also shew kindness unto my father’s house, and give me a true token: And that ye will save alive my father, and my mother, and my brethren, and my sisters, and all that they have, and deliver our lives from death. And the men answered her, our life for yours, if ye utter not this our business. And it shall be, when the Lord hath given us the land, that we will deal kindly and truly with thee. Then she let them down by a cord through the window: for her house was upon the town wall, and she dwelt upon the wall.” We see all throughout the Old and New Testament where spies were used to scout out places and situations.
Jesus did not use spies; however, he did utilize the concept of reconnaissance and surveillance. As John the Baptist had gone before him even prior to his ministry, he used this method once he began his ministry as well. In Luke 22:8, “And he sent Peter and John, saying, Go and prepare us the Passover, that we may eat.” Matthew 21:1-7 gives this account, “And when they drew nigh unto Jerusalem, and were come to Bethphage, unto the mount of Olives, then sent Jesus two disciples, saying unto them, go into the village over against you, and straightway ye shall find an ass tied, and a colt with her: loose them, and bring them unto me. And if any man say ought unto you, ye shall say, The Lord hath need of them; and straightway he will send them. All this was done, that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the prophet, saying, tell ye the daughter of Sion, Behold, thy King cometh unto thee, meek, and sitting upon an ass, and a colt the foal of an ass. And the disciples went and did as Jesus commanded them. And brought the ass, and the colt, and put on them their clothes, and they set him thereon.” Jesus also used this concept as a way of training his disciples for ministry. Luke 10:1 states,“After these things the Lord appointed other seventy also and sent them two and two before his face into every city and place, whither he himself would come.”
While going through some of my mother’s paperwork, I came across a poem written by veteran missionary Joyce Latta, called ‘The Enemy’. These two great ministers of the gospel are no longer with us, yet these words still resonate with us. It goes like this.
The enemy had surrounded me, In the darkness of the night.
And something deep within was getting ready for the fight.
So, I put on my armor, Like He had told me to do.
The foe would be defeated, before the night was through.
The helmet of salvation, upon my head I wore.
The breastplate of righteousness, around my chest I bore.
My loins were gird with truth; A sword was in my hand.
The shield of faith in front of me, according to His plan.
Then I heard Him say, “Wear the shoes of peace”.
This is most important if you want the war to cease.
I thought I misunderstood Him, for surely, I must fight.
After all my cause was good, and I was in the right.
He said my child I’m with you, it’s so plain to see.
I won the victory for you when I died on Calvary.
Truth will stand alone; there is no need to defend.
For I the way, the truth, the life, Am your closest friend.
Then I understood, What He had to say.
If God was for me, the foe would surely run away.
The enemy was a coward, and by His grace I’m free.
He won the battle for me; He had gone ahead of me.
The thought that we have been discussing in this short article is brought out so beautifully in this poem when it comes to our Christian walk with the Lord. We have nothing to fear because the Lord has gone before us. He makes a way when there seems no way. He parted the sea for Moses to lead the children of Israel across on dry land. God already had a plan. All thought scripture we are told how that God fights for us. Romans 12:19 states, “Dearly beloved, avenge not yourselves, but rather give place unto wrath: for it is written, Vengeance is mine; I will repay, saith the Lord.” Exodus 14:14, “The Lord shall fight for you, and ye shall hold your peace.” Deuteronomy 3:22 also says, “Ye shall not fear them: for the Lord your God he shall fight for you.” Deuteronomy 20:4 reiterates, “For the Lord your God is he that goeth with you, to fight for you against your enemies, to save you.” Joshua 10:25 concurs, “And Joshua said unto them, Fear not, nor be dismayed, be strong and of good courage: for thus shall the Lord do to all your enemies against whom ye fight.” Joshua 23:10 agrees, “One man of you shall chase a thousand: for the Lord your God, he it is that fighteth for you, as he hath promised you.” We must allow God to be God and stop trying to wrestle things out of His hands. This is a sure recipe for disaster and defeat.
Isaiah 42:16 shows us this promise, “And I will bring the blind by a way that they knew not; I will lead them in paths that they have not known: I will make darkness light before them, and crooked things straight. These things will I do unto them, and not forsake them.” 2 Corinthians 1:20 says, “For all the promises of God in him are yea, and in him Amen, unto the glory of God by us.” In Matthew 28:19-20 Jesus told his disciples of whom we are a part, “Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you always, even unto the end of the world. Amen.” In Hebrews 13:5 we are admonished, “Let your conversation be without covetousness; and be content with such things as ye have: for he hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee.”
Tom Bodett a National Public Radio commentator and author, coined the phrase “We’ll leave the light on for you”, when adlibbing a commercial for Motel 6 in 1986. We know this saying has become well recognized and is still used by them today, however, there is one thing that came to my attention when I heard this again recently. For someone to leave the light on for you, they would have had to be there before you. This is what Jesus Christ did for us. 1 Corinthians 15:19-26 tells us, “If in this life only we have hope in Christ, we are of all men most miserable. But now is Christ risen from the dead and become the first fruits of them that slept. For since by man came death, by man came also the resurrection of the dead. For as in Adam all die, even so in Christ shall all be made alive. But every man in his own order: Christ the first fruits; afterward they that are Christ’s at his coming. Then cometh the end, when he shall have delivered up the kingdom to God, even the Father, when he shall have put down all rule and all authority and power. For he must reign, till he hath put all enemies under his feet. The last enemy that shall be destroyed is death.”
Jesus went before us, did the necessary reconnaissance and surveillance, paid our debt in full, fought and won the battle for us, and stated in John 14:1-3, “Let not your heart be troubled: ye believe in God, believe also in me. In my Father’s house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also.” All we need to do is believe the reconnaissance platoon’s report and hold our peace. He wants you to know today, He has everything taken care of and prepared ahead of time. The appointed time is very near, and you are expected. He has left the light on for you!