Lonely On The Battlefield

Introduction

I can remember the events of October 3 and 4th, 1993, as if it were yesterday, and it has actually been 28 years.  It happened on the east coast of Africa in a country called Somalia. Today we call it the Mogadishu War. It would later inspire a book and movie titled “Black Hawk Down.” Militias led by the Somali warlord Mohamed Farrah Aidid began attacking and killing U.N. peacekeepers. On October 3 and 4, 1993, U.S. forces set out on a snatch-and-grab mission to arrest two of Aidid’s lieutenants. The plan was to surround a white three-story house in the capital city of Mogadishu where leaders of Aidid’s clan were gathering. Rangers would helicopter in, lower themselves on ropes and surround the building on all sides. A convoy of trucks and Humvees would wait outside the gate to carry away the troops and their prisoners. Altogether, the operation would involve 19 aircraft, 12 vehicles and around 160 troops.  You might remember with me the horrible results. There was a eighteen hour battle which left 18 Americans and hundreds of Somali’s dead–part of which was a six-hour fire fight to retrieve a body. Why? “Leave no one behind.”

Let’s look at Isaiah 30:31 within the context of the phrase, “Leave no one behind”

I. The Background

Isaiah 30:31 For through the voice of the LORD Assyria will be beaten down, As He strikes with the rod

• Assyria is an area who call modern day Iraq
  • The Assyrians brought unrelenting pressure on God’s people
  • God’s people had reoccurring problems with the Assyrians
• Assyrians were the problem that never went away.  Have you every had a problem that just seemed to stick around.  You did everything in your power, but it just would not go away.  The Assyrians were this kind of problem for Israel
  • No one could do anything
  • No one could stop them
• Israel would try everything, but would ignore God.  Does this sound like the way either you or someone you know has attempted to deal with a problem?  As humans, we often try to use all of our might to solve our problems first

During this struggle, the Bible asserts in Isaiah 30:15 “In returning and rest you shall be saved; In quietness and confidence shall be your strength. But you would not.”

• So in the midst of the struggle, God offers counsel to His people
  • Isaiah 30:1 “Woe to the rebellious children,” says the LORD, “Who take counsel, but not of Me, And who devise plans, but not of My Spirit, That they may add sin to sin.”
• In fact, God reminds them of their past experience with Egypt

Isaiah 30:2 Who walk to go down to Egypt, And have not asked My advice, To strengthen themselves in the strength of Pharaoh, And to trust in the shadow of Egypt!

II. There is always a handful and then there is God!

Everyone leaves, but you are alone.  Have you ever felt that way?  The Bible describes this feeling in:

Isaiah 30:16-17 And you said, “No, for we will flee on horses” — Therefore you shall flee! And, “We will ride on swift horses” — Therefore those who pursue you shall be swift! 17One thousand shall flee at the threat of one, At the threat of five you shall flee, Till you are left as a pole on top of a mountain And as a banner on a hill

• You took a stand for God, now you are on a hill all alone.  In “Black Hawk Down” those soldiers were there alone.  Have you ever felt all alone while you were fighting a battle?
• There’s no one to help you
• You look like a fool
• You are all by yourself

Now let’s continue reading in Isaiah 30.  My friend, regardless if everyone else is gone, we have the confidence that the Lord waits

Isaiah 30:18 Therefore the LORD will wait, that He may be gracious to you; And therefore He will be exalted, that He may have mercy on you. For the LORD is a God of justice; Blessed are all those who wait for Him

Remember that God is with you no matter what battle you may go through. He stays, no matter what.  The Bible says in Proverbs 18:24, “One who has unreliable friends soon comes to ruin, but there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother.” (NIV).  Friends, the scripture is clear that God will never leave you or forsake you! God says He will stick with you regardless of what anyone else does

Life can be difficult.  The emotional darkness and chaos we feel can easily be summed up in the next verse:

Isaiah 30:19 For the people shall dwell in Zion at Jerusalem; You shall weep no more. He will be very gracious to you at the sound of your cry; When He hears it, He will answer you

So you may be in a battle and be saying, “I’m all alone. No one cares.”

But let me remind you that Jesus always cares. The great hymn writer Ruth Habershon penned it this way:

1 When my heart is crushed with sorrow,

Weighted down my many a care;

Then I look to Him who saved me,

And I find my comfort there

2 When against the tempter struggling,

Well nigh yielding in the fight;

Trusting in the strength He gives me,

All my foes are put to flight

3 When I long for voices silent,

For the touch of those at rest;

Overcome with grief and anguish,

He will calm my soul distressed

4 When my heart is bowed in sorrow,

Oh, what peace to find it true!

“Casting all your care upon Him,”

Knowing that He cares for you

5 When life’s sun on earth’s horizon,

Sinks to rest at eventide,

Then I know His love will hold me,

Bear me to the other side

• My dear Christian friend, never forget what you have been taught. Now let’s move on to the next verse in Isaiah 30 and see what advice the prophet offers

• Isaiah 30:20 And though the Lord gives you The bread of adversity and the water of affliction, Yet your teachers will not be moved into a corner anymore, But your eyes shall see your teachers
• We must remember what we have been taught from God’s word and refuse to compromise even when others do

* Standing firm on the promise of God will enable God will make you fruitful in places where everyone else has fled.  Isaiah 30:23-24 Then He will give the rain for your seed With which you sow the ground, And bread of the increase of the earth; It will be fat and plentiful. In that day your cattle will feed In large pastures. 24Likewise the oxen and the young donkeys that work the ground Will eat cured fodder, Which has been winnowed with the shovel and fan

Praise God!  The future is brighter than you have ever imagined, even when you are all alone.  God’s Word will strengthen us as we take it into our lives.  Move on with me now to verse 26

• Isaiah 30:26 Moreover the light of the moon will be as the light of the sun, And the light of the sun will be sevenfold, As the light of seven days, In the day that the LORD binds up the bruise of His people And heals the stroke of their wound

Conclusion

I remember watching the movie “Blackhawk down” and thinking to myself what a horrible feeling it must be to be trapped and all alone.  I want you to know today that you are never all alone if you have accepted Jesus Christ as your personal Savior.  He has promised, “I will never leave you or forsake you”.  Listen, you need never feel alone regardless which battlefield you find yourself on.  He never has failed me yet and he will never fail you! As we close, let's journey back to Proverbs 18:24.  Let me share it out of the Amplified Bible, “The man of too many friends [chosen indiscriminately] will be broken in pieces and come to ruin, But there is a [true, loving] friend who [is reliable and] sticks closer than a brother.”  That loyal friend is Jesus!  He will “Leave No One Behind”.  Have you trusted Him as your Savior?