Day Twelve: Twelve Drummers Drumming
God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. (Psalm 46:1 ESV)
Soldiers
A Virginian merchant in 1861 desired to join a regiment being recruited in his hometown. He believed in the cause, loved his community, and hoped to serve. But he had no soldierly skills. Seeing his desperation, the Captain accepted him as a soldier, and assigned him the role of drummer. This task was usually given to youngsters, too young to fight. But this man accepted the position gladly. He is said to have announced, “I can not fight, but I can drum for those who do.”
With all respect to modern drummers, a drum is not usually a solo instrument. Drumming provides stability, accent, and continuity. Drumming adds necessary facets to music. Drumming might not always be noticed, but its absence is felt.
We are soldiers of our Lord.
But He actually does the fighting. Sometimes we convince ourselves that he needs us in the battle. But He does not. We do not have soldierly skills. But He accords us the role of drumming.
We drum when we follow Him wherever He goes, publicly noting His presence. We drum when we help raise the spirits of the discouraged and hurting. We drum when we urge those around us to follow, too. We drum when we proclaim our soldier, announce our soldier, praise our soldier, obey our soldier, and humbly follow our soldier.
We really can not fight, but Jesus can