Rear Guard

Deuteronomy 25:17-19 English Standard Version (ESV)

17 “Remember what Amalek did to you on the way as you came out of Egypt, 18 how he attacked you on the way when you were faint and weary, and cut off your tail, those who were lagging behind you, and he did not fear God. 19 Therefore when the Lord your God has given you rest from all your enemies around you, in the land that the Lord your God is giving you for an inheritance to possess, you shall blot out the memory of Amalek from under heaven; you shall not forget.

During our later days for tour of duty in Vietnam we would get replacements. They were not seasoned or conditioned to the terrain. One failed ambush led us to force march in the dark through a wet and muddy rice paddy. I was assigned rear guard. One newbie struggled in the mud, hip deep, crying and afraid. It was my responsibility to make sure no one was left behind. I was there to help and encourage him in his moment of greatest fear.

In this opening verse we might blame the faithless for not keeping up. Who had been set to help and encourage them as the enemy came to attack them?

The truth is the same now as back then. The enemy has no fear of God and will seek to devour whom he may. It is on us to help and encourage the faint of heart. We are the seasoned veterans. We have seen much during our journey and our experiences should not be forgotten. We have all struggled. How do I know that? I too have struggled and been helped when I was weak and beggarly.

Like my newbie who struggled, we will not recognize the signs by turning our back on them. We have to keep them in front of us. Be the rear guard.

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