Sorties at the Hummingbird Feeder

A sortie is an armed attack made from a place surrounded by enemy forces.  I first became familiar with the term during the mid 1970's.  Shortly after we were married, one of my husband's favorite TV shows was Baa Baa Black Sheep, starring Robert Conrad.  The series was loosely based on the real life adventures of Col. Greg "Pappy" Boyington during World War II.  Pappy Boyington was a hard-living flying ace with the United States Marines, leader of the famed Black Sheep Squadron, and credited with personally destroyng twenty-six Japanese fighter planes.  Pappy Boyington was captured, held prisoner by the Japanese, later released, then awarded the Medal of Honor by President Franklin Roosevelt. 

Whether or not my husband realized it at the time, I think his preference for his grandfather name, Pappy, to our three grandchildren was based on "Pappy" Boyington.  (Well, it was either him or Popeye's daddy, right?)  Who else is called, Pappy?

At our house, it's Pappy's job to refill and hang the hummingbird feeder.  It's placed on a shepherd's hook in full view of the sofa in our den, so that we can watch their antics.  They may be tiny, but they are fierce and protective of their turf.  I've watched them run "sorties" in our backyard for several summers.  If you look closely, you can often find them perched on a branch of a crepe myrtle or hybiscus, watchng the feeder.  If an enemy approaches the feeder, they take off and the air fight is on.  The Corsairs are taking on the Zeroes in the backyard!  They are defending their property.

My devotions this morning were about the many names of God.  While watching hummingbird "sorties" today, several came to mind.  My God is Jehovah-Elohim, strong and mighty to be feared.  He is Jehovah-Saboath, The Lord of Hosts who reigns over all of the angelic armies.  He is Jehovan-Nissi, the God who fights my battles. 

Is the "enemy" creeping in, surrounding your camp, threatening your territory?  Are you attempting to fight battles in your own strength?  You can't go up against the gates of hell armed with a water pistol.  Loosen the death grip you have on your life, and let God run sorties for you.  Have confidence in knowing that the Lord God Jehovah is strong and mighty, has angelic armies at His command, and He is willing and able to fight battles for His children.   

"Oh, grant us help against the foe, for vain is the salvation of man!  With God we shall do valiantly; it is he who will tread down our foes." Psalm 60:11-12 

Copyright 2011 Charlotte Laney