Have You Struck your Colours?

Who was the greatest naval hero from the Revolutionary War?  I propose that it would be Captain John Paul Jones.  

He was instrumental in establishing the traditions of courage and tenacity that were followed by many American seamen for generations.  This indomitable figure on the waters of war was born in a gardener's cottage in Scotland. While still a youth, he went to sea, and by the age of 21, was a merchant ship master.  Years later he was residing in Virginia and took up the patriot's cause.

Volunteering early to serve in his adopted country's virgin navy in the War for Independence, it was his hands that raised the Continental colors on board the flagship of the first fleet of the American Navy.

This Naval officer is remembered for his determination and unwillingness to consider surrender when the slightest glimmer of hope for victory still burned.  Though taking the battle to an overwhelming foe, outmanned and outgunned, he was not one to shun danger or risk, as is demonstrated by this declaration of his: "I wish to have no connection with any ship that does not sail fast, for I fully intend to go into harm's way."

Jones commanded a number of vessels in his time of service, including PROVIDENCE, ALFRED, RANGER, ARIEL, ALLIANCE and most famously, BONHOMME RICHARD.

In fact, it was on this date, the 23rd of September, back in 1778, that John Paul Jones had his most renowned sea battle.  He was embroiled in conflict against the British warship H.M.S. SERAPIS.  After the BONHOMME RICHARD began to take on water, and fires broke out on board, the British commander asked Jones if he had struck his colours.  Jones replied with a shout, 

"I have not yet begun to fight!"  

Three hours later, it was the British commander who surrendered to HIM.

September 23rd is also my birthday (a few years later, of course).   

There is a statement that has become very dear to my soul in the warfare in which we are engaged.  I desire to embody its truth through the grace of my Redeemer and Lord of Hosts, Jesus Christ.  

I also yearn that my Christian brethren would take heart and be of good courage in THIS generation, remembering why we are here.  That same statement hearkens back to the mindset of Captain Jones. 

It carries the same thrust and zeal as "I have not yet begun to fight!"

What is the statement?
"There is still time to win a battle 

before the sun goes down."

Have you struck your colours?  Is your courage and commitment flagging?  Are you fallen?  Look to the Captain of our Salvation, and renew your strength in Him!  In Christ alone, all strength is found.  In the face of overwhelming odds, 

This day, as ever, Jesus is KING.

No matter the foes, no matter the fears, no matter the floods, no matter the foreboding, no matter the frailty of my flesh, my fealty is to the everlasting God, to Whom it is said, in the midst of lamentation: 

"Great is thy faithfulness" (Lamentations 3:23).

In His name, and by His grace, we serve in this generation, to be His ambassadors, emissaries of His kingdom, speaking the truth in a world that loves lies.  

To worship and warship "in Christ".  

Let His banners go forth.  Let His name be known and His colors be flown, seeds to be sown, and light to be shone.

Psalm 60:4 "Thou hast given a banner to them that fear thee, that it may be displayed because of the truth. Selah."

Psalm 20:5 "We will rejoice in thy salvation, and in the name of our God we will set up our banners: the LORD fulfil all thy petitions."

Let us, who are of the day, stand today, even through the eleventh hour, in the harvest field, and the field of battle.

I Thessalonians 5:8 "But let us, who are of the day, be sober, putting on the breastplate of faith and love; and for an helmet, the hope of salvation."

This was the theme of my first blog post:
There's Still Time to Win a Battle Before the Sun Goes Down: The Reason Behind the Name "Time to Win a Battle" Blog

ABORTION MUST BE ABOLISHED.