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On November 20, 1943, a heavy naval and aerial bombardment of Betio Island of Tarawa Atoll, (the south easternmost outposts of the Japanese Empire) preceded the landing of 5,000 men of the 2nd Marine Division. The Betio Island of the Tarawa Atoll had been transformed by the Japanese into the most heavily fortified base, yard-for-yard, of any Island base in the Pacific during WWII. When the beach landing began a major problem followed. Due to the Coral Reefs around the islands, American landing craft could not reach the shore. Marines were forced to wade in chest deep water, 500 yards under withering crossfire to reach these beaches. Brave Marines died by the hundreds. The Japanese could not believe their eyes as they watched these Marines continuing to wade in as their companions fell all around them. Close to 1,500 American Marines were killed the first day, and over 2,000 more were wounded during the operation. The 4,800 Japanese defenders, however, were virtually wiped out. Only 17 Japanese remained three days latter, on Nov. 23rd, when the battle ended. Four Marines were awarded the Medal of Honor for their part in the invasion although many more undoubtedly deserved it. Only one of the four survived the battle and he was seriously wounded.

The victory on Batio Island, though costly, was absolutely vital to any future victories in the Pacific. The thousands of Marines who gave their lives did so for our freedom and for our future. Sadly, America has changed, we still love victory as much as ever, but we seem to only be able to stomach a bloodless, inexpensive victory. Unfortunately victory almost always comes with a great price.

In both Persian Gulf wars as well as the war in Afghanistan, the United States of America had a combined casualty total of less than it did in one day on one brutal island in the Pacific. Yet to hear the news, Sadam Hussein has won. We’ve lost the war against terrorism. It’s not just the media; our politicians are beginning to follow suit. Americans want to defeat terrorism and end the terrorist threat without the loss of life. Mark it down, it just isn’t going to happen. The fact that we think it should happen is a reflection of an inherent problem. America can only stomach bloodless victory. We have become gutless. To be, “The land of the Free” we must also be the “Home of the Brave!” It is sad that so many can’t see this.

In the church we are no different than society. Pastors want to slay the gossips and put down sin and carnality, but not enough to be willing to pay a price. We want victory but not enough to rock the boat. Let’s face reality; victory sometimes costs a family. Sometimes it means a split in the church. Spiritual battles are not bloodless. Christian parents, raising your kids for God means enduring some struggles. Remember, those things that are worth dieing for are also worth living for. Pay the price. There are no bloodless victories.

Pastor Steven E. Mays – Trumpet Editor
BroMays@FaithBaptistTrumpet.org