Tuesday is July fourth! And we commemorate this day as the day in which the United States declared it’s independence and began the journey of securing freedom for all of us to enjoy upon this day. So I hope you celebrate with your family and engage in backyard grilling and safe firework demonstrations.
But if it was July 4th, 1863, and we had been in the small town of Gettysburg Pennsylvania, the scene would have been something apocalyptic and undescribable. The previous three days had witnessed the bloodiest battle in American history. Over 57,000 casualties had occurred in a mere 72 hours, the landscape was scarred and torn with wreckage strewn about the tranquil Pennsylvania countryside. The small town was inundated with wounded to the point that every house, store and church became a hospital. And even more disparagingly, many of the dead still lay upon the field of battle.
In that scene of utter carnage two men stood upon a hill and surveyed the valley below wearing the blue uniform of U.S. troops. They had been holding their positions for three days against withering sniper fire, artillery shells, and Confederate night assaults. These two men were all the way from Ohio and most assuredly would have much rather been at home than in Pennsylvania. But when their country called for volunteers they had signed up together, because they felt it was their duty.
But also because they were brothers.
Lemuel and Abraham joined the 73rd Ohio infantry in 1861. The regiment had brought 338 soldiers into the field at Gettysburg but by July 4th only 193 remained. You might have thought that Lemual and Abraham would have been grateful to survive such an ordeal, but I doubt it. You see, these two men had two other brothers. One, Isaac, was far away from Gettysburg Pennsylvania, but that didn’t comfort the brothers much. You see, Isaac was fighting in the 1st Missouri Infantry, which happened to be a confederate regiment. So, their family had been divided by war and there was always the prospect now that they could be on opposite ends of a field of battle.
But it was July 4th! Lemuel and Abraham had just been a part of a great victory! Surely they would have been celebrating! I doubt it again, you see I mentioned that there were four brothers. William, the youngest of the four, was also a member of the 73rd Ohio. He had stood beside his two other brothers throughout numerous engagements. But on July 3rd William had been mortally wounded by a cannon shot. He would die on July 7th.
Such sacrifices throughout history were made by men and women of all races, creeds, and colors who fought for our freedom. The freedom we so freely enjoy and often abuse today was made possible by those who paid the ultimate sacrifice. And yet the men at that time had no way of knowing that hopeful future. Instead those brothers most likely stood upon that hill and mourned the loss of their family.
Why tell such a depressing story? Especially on my very first devotional to the church! Perhaps I am being a little too hastey, but the point of this story is to remind us that even in the darkest of moments, light always finds a way through Christ.
In the Gospel of John we find Jesus speaking to his Apostles. He is explaining to them that soon he will be handed over to be crucified. But he gives them a message of hope saying, “Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid.” Jesus is saying that though things may seem dark in the moment, through Him true peace will always be the true result. If the Apostles had fully understood what Jesus was speaking about, maybe they wouldn’t have been so defeated after the crucifixion. Even more so, they wouldn’t have been so surprised that Jesus rose from the dead, just like he said he would!
In the darkest of moments or the lowest of valley’s remember this my brothers and sisters, Christ has the final word in all things. The sufferings we endure today will produce the glorious revivals of tomorrow.
The men and women in our armed services who have endured the struggle for our country’s freedom (that we celebrate this July 4th) throughout our history could not see the future themselves, but merely have hope that it would be worth the sacrifice. As followers of Christ we KNOW the future. The future is the Kingdom of God, so no matter what this world throws our way, we can take heart, because Christ has overcome the world!`
As for the three brothers, eventually they found themselves on opposite ends of the battlefield at a place called Kennesaw Mountain Georgia in 1864. Their regiments faced across from one another in a series of assaults. But despite these events all three would survive the war and return home. All of them lived past the age of 70 and raised large families.
You know, It was ironic that Lemual, Abraham and William would be at Gettysburg Pennsylvania , because that was the state where their family had settled when they arrived in the United States before the American Revolution from Ulster in Northern Ireland (Scotch-Irish). Their ancestor John had fought for their freedom in 1776, which led to a new life for many descendants. You see, I forgot to mention the last name of Lemuel, Abraham, Isaac, William and now John. It’s McVey.
We may not know where the road might lead us, but we know the outcome of it all. The outcome is Victory in Jesus Christ!
Keep marching on in hope my friends.
Your fellow servant in the Gospel,
Pastor Mike McVey
Minister – First United Methodist Church, Fairfield TX
ACS Chaplain – United State Coast Guard, Station Galveston TX
Chaplain – Texas Game Warden Service, Freestone County
Cell: 919-935-2513
Email: pastormike@fumcfairfield.org
