Religion: A Pastor Ponders

The hornet’s nest

By Pastor William Jenkins

May 19, 2006

One of the things I have learned about my ancestors is that my great-great grandfather died from wounds received during the Civil War at the Battle of Shiloh. During that battle a Union soldier from Ohio was wounded – shot in the arm. His captain saw that he was injured and barked out an order: “Gimme your gun, private…and get to the rear!”

The private handed over his rifle and ran back toward the north seeking safety. But after covering two or three hundred yards, he ran into another skirmish. Then he ran to the east and into another part of the battle. Then he ran west and encountered more fighting there. He was caught in that part of the battle known as “the hornet’s nest.” Finally the private ran back to the front lines and shouted: “Gimme back my rifle, Cap’n. There ain’t no rear to this battle!”

Precisely so, when it comes to the troubles of this world, “there ain’t no rear to the battle!” We can’t really run away and hide. The only sensible answer is “to trust God and go forward.”

That’s just what Moses did when he was trapped at the Red Sea. He trusted God and went forward…and God opened a way. God did not lead Moses around the Red Sea or over it or under it. God led him through it! And that’s what He can do for us. He can deliver us from our troubles by leading us through them.

When we find ourselves in “the hornet’s nest” we can remember Moses at the Red Sea. He didn’t have all the answers, but he did maintain communication with God. And he did go forward and he did do the best he knew to do and he did trust God to bring it out right. We can do that, too!

Ponder this.

League City United Methodist Church is located at 1411 Main Street (FM 518), one block east of Interstate 45. For information, call the church offices at 281-332-1557 or visit the website at

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