The Blockade Runner

Okay, it is history lesson time once again. This time it is the American Civil War, 1861 – 1865. One of the biggest problems facing the Confederate States of America, CSA, was getting arms and supplies in order to fight the Union Army. There was a Confederate Navy, but it had just 11 ships at the start of the war, so the CSA had to look for other ways to combat the Union Navy and to get guns, ammunition and supplies. The answer came in the form of blockage runners. These were privately-owned ships sailing under an authorization from the CSA and it was their mission to get the necessary materials to the South. The South was an agrarian economy without any significant industrial base. In order to supply itself, it went to England and France and traded its goods, primarily cotton, for weapons and other necessities. The North tried to prevent this supply effort by stationing its Naval ships near the likely Southern ports, such as New Orleans, Mobile, and Charleston, and form a blockade.

The blockade runners were usually faster, more maneuverable, and well-armed, and their mission was to evade the Union Navy and get the needs goods to port. This effort lasted throughout the war even though port after port was captured. The last significant port after the above were rendered non-available was Galveston. Many of the blockade runners were captured or sunk and it was a case of too little, too late to help the CSA.

As we go through our lives, whether walking, running or stumbling, we are in a constant battle as well. It is our God-given mission to protect and nourish ourselves while always remaining vigilant, on guard against the enemy who would love to destroy us and win us over to his side. We are not strong enough to do this on our own, naturally, so we have to have divine help, we have to have our own blockade. That blockade is God and He is always available to protect us and strengthen our defenses. Just as the Union Navy blocked the Southern ports and prevent the blockade runners for reaching their goals, so too does God help us intercept and block the devil from gaining an entry or foothold in our lives.

The devil is clever, no doubt about it, and he will seek any opening in our nature to get where he wants to go. Instead of bringing supplies as the blockade runners did, he brings destruction and death. He wants nothing more than our immortal soul, or maybe that should be less. When we learn or sense where we are vulnerable and, with God’s help, close down that weakness, the devil searches for another. Make no mistake, he is going to get through from time to time. When that happens, it is time to call out our own army, and there is none better or stronger than our God. With His help, we can avoid capture and win through a victory.

The war will never be over until we are with God in Heaven. The devil, like the blockade runners of old, will try port after port and try to gain a permanent port in our existence. He will never stop trying, he is relentless and determined. He will stop at nothing. His problem is we have God on our side, just waiting for us to ask His help. We can’t win this war for our souls on our own; we need divine help and reinforcements. Stay vigilant, be aware of the tricks of the master trickster, and call upon God in your battle. Losing the war is not an option or choice. Shore up the holes in your personal defenses and dance your victory dance on Heaven’s streets.