’)Just when some in leadership thought the Korean War was all but over, American troops approaching the North Korean border were surprised by a blistering, middle-of-the-night ambush from the Chinese army. One of the platoons drew back into a dry creek bed, hoping to weather the assault. But realizing they had only made themselves easier targets by yielding the high ground, they began urging each other out. Better to risk death on the run than get it guaranteed in a ditch.
But it was too late. Even in flight, one of the Americans took a grenade blast that ripped through his leg. He tried to play dead, covering himself with enemy bodies for several long, painful, chilling hours. But later that afternoon, a Chinese soldier scouring the battlefield for survivors poked a gun to the man's head. Game over? Just then, however, a military chaplain rushed out of nowhere, pushed the shooter to one side, and hoisted his fallen buddy onto his shoulders, walking away.
Certain death, you'd think. But something in the chaplain's audacious bravery stunned their would-be attacker. Almost in awe of him, if not simply disoriented, the Chinese pulled back his rifle. Courage had shocked away disaster.
Perhaps there are people you care about who are in trouble and danger. You don't really know how to help. You're sort of afraid to get involved. But how could a caring act of audacious courage shock life back into a destructive situation? "Be men, and fight!" (1 Samuel 4:9).