I think our Battalion Commander has counted over a dozen instances of divine intervention, and those are just the blatantly obvious ones. Just today we had another guy take a bullet to the head. He is fine and says he has a bad headache and needs a new helmet.
There was one particular time when forty enemy personnel ambushed us. Outnumbered, we all escaped without any major injuries. There have been many other stories—occasions when grenades never blew up or bounced off the ground, mortars landing next to someone yet they wouldn’t receive a scratch, or soldiers who actually saw bullets going around other soldiers.
One of the guys from my company showed me the book of Nahum this evening. I must admit I’ve studied very little about Nahum. In Nahum, God speaks about the city of Nineveh and would you believe Mosul is built on and around ancient Nineveh? In fact, the locals say that Jonah is buried in the middle of the city. Nahum 1:7-8 states, "The Lord is good, a refuge in times of trouble. He cares for those who trust in him, but with an overwhelming flood he will make an end of Nineveh." I am sure Nahum was not referring to the present, but a flood of war has definitely come to this city Nahum’s description of Nineveh is full of violence and destruction, but I will continue to cling to his message of comfort in verse 7: "The Lord is good, a refuge in times of trouble."
Recently I found myself reflecting on the past nine months, particularly how privileged I am to be an American citizen. When I eat in the chow tent, I realize how much better I am eating than the citizens of Iraq. There I am, surrounded by enemies, enjoying a better standard of living than those outside the perimeter.
Somehow, I feel God is part of all of this, at least in helping me to trust Him more. God definitely has sent His angels to protect us. So thank you again for the letters, packages, and especially for all of your prayers. Our unit goes home soon. Can’t wait!
Your friend in Iraq,
Dan
Letter submitted by Jean Wise, Edon, Ohio. Jean Wise is a health commissioner and lives in Ohio. er friend, Emily Curtis (letter recipient), has received hundreds of letters from troops serving in Iraq sharing stories of answered prayers. Contact: wiseguys@bright.net
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Taken from God Answers Prayers: Military Edition by Allison Bottke, with Cheryll Hutchings and Jennifer Devlin. Copyright © 2005 by Allison Bottke. Published by Harvest House Publishers, Eugene OR. Used with permission.
Allison Bottke is an inspirational writer, speaker, and workshop leader. The founder of God Allows U-Turns, she has written or compiled several books, including God Answers Prayers, God Answers Mom's Prayers (Harvest House); and Journeys of Friendship, Journeys of Love, Journeys of Hope, and Journey's of Joy (Barbour).
