Friday, May 01, 2009

Lone Survivor

Marcus Lattrell was a Navy Seal. He along with 3 other Seals were commissioned to Afghanistan to continue the war against the Taliban. They were called to take out the most difficult-to-find leaders. Their mission was simple: by whatever means necessary, gather intel, find the leaders and take them out. On one particular day, out in the middle of nowhere, they came across some wandering Afghan goat herders and they were faced with a dilemma. Were they enemy combatants or were they innocent civilians? If they were enemy combatants, they had every right to take them out. If they were innocent civilians, there were strict international laws that prohibited them from killing them. If they let them go and they went back to the Taliban, Marcus and his men could be in great danger. If they were innocent and they just shot them in cold blood, then they would possibly face a court marshal and be brought up on charges. What a horrible dilemma! Not knowing what to do, they erred on the side of caution and decided to let them go. In a short time, these goat herders came back with over a hundred enemy soldiers. In the ensuing battle, three of Marcus’ fellow soldiers were killed and he was left for dead in the middle of nowhere. The government thought that all four of them had been killed.
But, in the book that describes his miraculous and courageous story, "Lone Survivor", Marcus depicts the faith that kept him going. Finding safety in a crevice in a rock, with broken bones, a bloodied body, being without water for countless hours, he had lost much hope to ever get out alive. But, one thing kept him going: Believe it or not, the 23rd Psalm. "The Lord is my Shepherd. I shall not want. Even though, I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil. For thou art with me, thy rod and thy staff they comfort me. Though spreadest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies." The enemies were out there. They were out there in full force. The human wolves wanted to find him and devour him up. But, the Lord was His Shepherd, and by God’s mercy and protection, he was rescued and lived to tell this amazing tale.

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