“Some
trust in chariots, and some in horses: but we will remember the name of the
LORD our God.” (Psalm 20:7)
As I write, it is August 28, 2026, the
164th Anniversary of the Second Battle of Manassas, fought August 28–30, 1862,
one of the most decisive and storied victories ever to crown Confederate arms.
Through bold maneuver, determination, and sheer audacity, the Confederate army
drove General John Pope’s Army of Virginia from the field and back toward the
defenses of Washington.
For those of us who remember our
forefathers and study the history of our people, there is a deeper lesson at
Manassas than military strategy. The battle reminds us of an ancient truth:
human beings make plans, but God remains sovereign over the outcome.
It was the wisest man in history, after
all, who wrote that “A man's heart deviseth his way: but the LORD directeth his
steps.” (Proverbs 16:9)
The Second Manassas campaign is almost a
textbook illustration of this principle.
General Pope believed he had Jackson
trapped. After Jackson struck the Federal supply depot at Manassas Junction,
Pope gathered his army with the intention of destroying Jackson before Lee and
Longstreet could arrive. Jackson, however, had deliberately placed himself where
Pope would be encouraged to attack, while Lee hurried northward with
Longstreet's corps.
Then, on August 29, Pope repeatedly
hurled his troops against Jackson's position along the unfinished railroad. The
Confederate line bent but did not break. Meanwhile, Longstreet was arriving on
Jackson's right. Pope did not realize that the force he thought was isolated
was being reinforced. On August 30, believing the Confederates were retreating,
Pope ordered another attack. Instead, he found himself facing an army prepared
to strike. Longstreet's great assault then swept across the Federal left and
transformed the battle into a decisive Confederate victory.
How easily the whole affair might have
appeared otherwise while it was happening. To the soldier in the ranks, much of
this must have looked like confusion, exhaustion, danger, and uncertainty. Had
every man in the Southern army relied on his own lights and done what was good
in his own eyes, the Federals would almost certainly have won the day. But the
soldiers trusted their stalwart commanders to know what was best and to do it
well, and so they fought to a glorious victory.
We Christians can often be tempted to use
worldly lights to judge of this world’s problems and their solutions. It can be
tempting to despair as the world goes to Hell in a hand basket around us and no
one seems to know or care what can be done to stop it. Whether in politics or
religion, the state of the American family or the erosion of American economy,
there is much that seems confusing, exhausting, dangerous, and uncertain. But
if our ancestors at Second Manassas could trust their commanders with their
very lives, may we not trust the Captain of the Lord’s Host? May we not trust
the King of Kings to know what is best and to do it well? Christ is reigning on
His throne, and nothing that Man can do is too strong for Him or too hard for
Him to handle.
The Christian therefore has no need to
despair when circumstances seem to be going against him. He must do what is
right, remain faithful to his duty, trust in God, and leave the ultimate result
in God's hands. For the Battle is the Lords (1 Samuel 17:47) and it is for Him
to save, whether by many or by few (1 Samuel 14:6).
We remember the men of the Second
Manassas campaign not because they possessed perfect knowledge or because they
could see the future. We remember them because, amid confusion and danger, they
did what they believed their duty required.
For us, the greater lesson is that our
duty is ours; Providence belongs to God. It is said that Stonewall Jackson,
when asked the secret of his legendary courage in battle, remarked that “my
religious belief teaches me to feel as safe in battle as in bed. God has fixed
the time for my death. I do not concern myself about that, but to be always
ready, no matter when it may overtake me. That is the way all men should live,
and then all would be equally brave.” How well the great General understood and
trusted the Providence of God!
We cannot know what battles lie ahead for
our families, our communities, our nation, or our chapter. We cannot know what
circumstances our children and grandchildren will inherit. But we can determine
whether we will be faithful with what has been placed into our hands. As
Christians and as custodians of memory, we have a responsibility to preserve
what is worthy of preservation, to tell the truth about the past, to honor
those who came before us, and to pass on to those who follow us the things that
are good.
And when the future is uncertain, we can
remember the words of the Psalmist:
“Some trust in chariots, and some in
horses: but we will remember the name of the LORD our God.”
—Psalm 20:7
The soldiers at Manassas could not see
the whole field.
Neither can we.
But God can.
And so, whatever battles may lie before
us, let us trust that the Lord who orders the course of history is still Lord
over ours.
May God bless our forefathers, preserve
the memory of those who came before us, strengthen our families and our
chapter, and grant us the courage to remain faithful to our duties in our own
time.
Deo
Vindice!
