As I was reading about the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor, one particular story caught my eye. Right after the bombing of Pearl Harbor in the early morning hours of December 7, 1941, a young pilot named Phil Rasmussen, still wearing his purple pajamas, fired up his P-36 to engage in dogfights with multiple Japanese aircraft. His story, according to History.com, is as follows:
“Phil Rasmussen was one of the few American pilots who managed to take to the skies during the attack on Pearl Harbor. Like many others, the 23-year-old second lieutenant was still sleeping when his post at Wheeler Field was bombed, but he rushed outside and found an undamaged P-36 fighter sitting on the runway.
Still clad in a pair of purple pajamas, Rasmussen took off and joined three other pilots in a dogfight against 11 Japanese aircraft. His plane was slower and less maneuverable than the enemy Zeroes, but he quickly managed to shoot one of them down. He then crippled another plane before two Japanese pilots raked his P-36 with machine gun and cannon fire, leaving behind some 500 bullet holes. Another Zero just narrowly missed when it tried to ram him.
Rasmussen’s canopy was blown off and he briefly lost control, but he managed to right his damaged plane and make a miraculous landing without brakes, rudders, or a tail wheel. The young pilot was awarded a Silver Star for his bravery and went on to serve in the Air Force for another 24 years before retiring as a colonel.”
https://www.history.com/news/8-tales-of-pearl-harbor-heroics
I love stories of courage that remind me that my freedom is not free. As we appreciate those who gave so much so that we could live in freedom, I think we also need to consider, “What are we doing to preserve it for future generations?” We have an obligation to be freedom fighters…especially in the struggle between ETERNAL life and death for those who have not accepted God’s gift of salvation.
When I read this story from Pearl Harbor, it reminded me that unlike Phil—who was NOT expecting to be attacked by the enemy that morning—we, as God’s children KNOW we are under attack by OUR enemies. That’s why the Bible warns us:
Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil walks about like a roaring lion, SEEKING whom he may devour.
I Peter 5:8 NKJV
In fact, since our adversary is constantly seeking to attack us—we should be VERY surprised by any lull in the warfare; NOT when it ramps up! Thus, we need to be vigilant and always wearing our armor. Unlike Phil, who probably had no idea if he was going to live or die fighting the Japanese on December 7th, we KNOW that we are ALIVE in CHRIST. He has given us life and no enemy can take it from us.
This knowledge should inspire us to fight with even greater courage.
Jesus has given us everything we need to successfully engage against the enemy. After we are born again, the Lord Almighty is our refuge and fortress, and when we live in HIS presence—we KNOW—He fights the battle for us!
He who dwells in the secret place of the Most High shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty. I will say of the Lord,
“He is my refuge and my fortress; my God, in Him I will trust.”
Surely He shall deliver you from the snare of the fowler and from the perilous pestilence. He shall cover you with His feathers, and under His wings you shall take refuge; His truth shall be your shield and buckler.
You shall not be afraid of the terror by night, nor of the arrow that flies by day, nor of the pestilence that walks in darkness, nor of the destruction that lays waste at noonday.
A thousand may fall at your side, and ten thousand at your right hand; but it shall not come near you.
Psalms 91:1-7 NKJV
What courage we can have as we take up the fight!
Today, as we commemorate the heroes of Pearl Harbor who saved us from the slavery of imperialism, let us also remember that we owe THEM and their CHILDREN a great debt for our freedom. How better can we repay that debt than to carry out the Great Commission of Jesus to future generations so they may know the greatest freedom—the eternal freedom from the enslavement of sin. Jesus said:
…[I]f the Son makes you free, you shall be free indeed.
John 8:36 NKJV
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2 Responses
Beautiful story about Col. Rasmussen. It is great men like him that make America free. The greatest generation laid the foundation for us to be the most amazing country in the world . May God in his grace and mercy remind us every day freedom is not free.
Amen and amen!