youtube/watch?v=T8wQcmiH3Dc Brothers and Sisters, 150 years ago this July 18th, the all black 54th Massachusetts Infantry Regiment assaulted the Confederate fort, Fort Wagner, in South Carolina. What does it take to change a man whos’ belief in the God of Israel was almost nonexistent and his thoughts about the men he led? This was Robert Gould Shaw, the young 23 year old Commander of the 54th when he was first told of his commission. His doubts expressed in his letters home to his mother in Boston. The men Shaw would command were an assembly of escaped slaves and free black men who volunteered after hearing the thundering words of the great Frederick Douglas, the most prominent black leader of the age. “We will offer pride, to those who’ve known degradation. We will offer the chance to serve God’s purpose in the liberation of our people.” The 54th was collectively a God loving, God fearing and God educated assembly. Many of these men were literate, educated in the church schools of New York, Boston and the North East. And they knew their bible. Slavery was indeed against God’s laws, laws used wrongly by the slave traders and slave holders. Its’ time for demise was overdue and the retribution upon the United States for her support of it came in a sea of blood and hell. As you read Robert Shaws’ letters, there is a slow transformation of a young man who knew Gods’ existence to one who confirmed the God of Israel was the one true God of man. His fears about the men of his unit fell with each day as their spiritual force of will gave him the example he so desired in the power of the Holy Spirit. By the night of the 17th of July, 1863. Shaw and his white officers were standing shoulder to shoulder with their black troopers as they sang glory to God and prepared themselves for holy martyrdom. In his last letter written to his mother, Shaw exclaimed. “I go into battle on the morning knowing that I will fight with my fellow Christians in the purpose of the beloved God of Israel. I have no fear of the outcome.” Shaw died on the wall of the fort the next night along with most of his unit. A testimony to the glorious power and divine love of the God of Israel. The 54th did not coward, did not retreat and did not surrender. Christ is glorious. Why should a Chirstian fear the insults of today if his fellows 150 years ago could face down bullets? “Sic Deus Patribus, Sic Deus Nobius” As with our Fathers, May God be with us.” In his glorious name, Amen!
Posted on: Sun, 30 Jun 2013 23:39:07 +0000
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