Joan of Arc & Robert E. Lee

The other day a dear friend sent me a link to an article about one of General Lee’s swords. This particular sword was a gift from an admirer who lived in Maryland. It was presented to him in 1863. It is said to have been commissioned in Paris by Louis-Francois Devisme. The giver of the gift has been lost over the years but the sword has been preserved and refurbished to its original state. The sword is forty and one-half inches in length, possessing a lion’s head on the pommel and has an ivory grip. The blade is inscribed, "Gen. Robert E. Lee CSA from a Marylander 1863." The scabbard is of blued steel. Both pieces are flawless and priceless. Its beauty is something to be seen to be appreciated.

The feature that I love is a saying: "Aide toi Dieu t'aidera", which interpreted means "Help yourself and God will help you." St Joan of Arc’s famous saying was, "Aid yourself and God will aid you." This was the fabled surrender sword that General Lee wore when he met General Grant in Appomattox on April 9, 1865. Legend says that Lee offered Grant the sword but Grant declined the honor. That is not true, as Grant himself testifies. The sword was never offered.

My thoughts are how many times Lee as a Christian in gazing upon the words did he think about the saying and use it as motivation to continue? During adversity, surrender and even death, those words inscribed upon that sword must have been recalled and shared with others.

I am sure that Lee, Jackson, Howard, Stuart, Joan of Arc and others realized the importance of serving God and that He would help you, even through the most tragic of times. Christ called upon His father at the garden and on the cross. Joan prayed as she was burned at the stake. All men/women of vision realize that those He loves, He disciplines. Hebrews 12:11states, "No discipline seems pleasant at the time, but painful. Later on, however, it produces a harvest of righteousness and peace for those who have been trained by it." God’s ways are mysterious and some day when we enter His kingdom, all things will be revealed. One thing I know: He will never abandon you and He helps those who help themselves.

One of my favorite verses in the Bible is one which takes faith and action to achieve. I recall finding the verse when my mother studied through Emmaus Bible School. I must have been around eight years of age. It can be found in John 14:18, "I will not leave you as orphans: I will come to you." Being that my father died when I was five years of age, I found such comfort in the passage and I often thought God would guide my steps but I had to take the first step. When I stumbled and fell He would come to me. He would help me when I helped myself off the ground. Whosoever calls upon Him, He will answer. The book of Isaiah 58: 9 states, "Then you shall call, and the LORD will answer; you shall cry, and He will say, ‘Here I am.’"

Friends, God also gave us another promise. Whosoever shall call upon the Lord Jesus Christ SHALL be saved. Once you obtain the greatest gift of all, you will feel the turbid veil of ignorance torn asunder and you will come to know that he is always with you, even until the end of the earth.