By Peter Kennedy
What is faithfulness? How does have one acquire it? Should we even pray for it?
“Now it is required that those who have been given a trust must prove faithful.” – 1 Corinthians 4:2.
During the War of 1812, Fort McHenry became a key to the defense of Baltimore. In preparation of an expected attack, President Madison ordered Major George Armistead to command the Fort. Major Armistead was already a war hero for capturing Fort George in Canada from the British.
Major Armistead expressed the desire for a very large flag to fly over the fort to enrage the British. He specified “a flag so large that the British would have no difficulty seeing it from a distance”.
Mary Pickersgill and her family stitched the flag that measured 42 by 30 feet.
In September 1814, Baltimore attorney Francis Scott Key met with British Prisoner Exchange Agent Colonel John Stuart Skinner. Just after agreeing upon an exchange of Americans and British prisoners aboard the British ship HMS Tonnant, Key was informed that the British Navy was about to attack Fort McHenry. British Vice Admiral Alexander Cochrane gave the Americans an ultimatum: lower the American flag at Fort McHenry or face the wrath of the British Navy.
Major Armistead refused to surrender.
On the evening of 13 September, 19 British war ships began 25 hours of continuous shelling of Fort McHenry. More than 2,000 shells hit the fort. The flag was pummeled from the gunfire, but it continued to fly. Cannon fire broke the flagpole, but faithful men propped up the pole under a rain of fire. As morning dawned on 14 September, the American flag still waved. The British ships were unable to pass the Fort and penetrate Baltimore harbor and the attack was ended, saving Baltimore.
Whatever you have been called by the Lord to do, be faithful in following Him. Today in prayer, thank the Lord for the work He has called you to do and strive to be faithful in all that you do.
“I do not pray for success. I ask for faithfulness.” – Mother Teresa.
God’s Word: “”His master replied, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant! You have been faithful with a few things; I will put you in charge of many things. Come and share your master’s happiness!'” – Matthew 25:21.
