Did Army Prc. Jessica Lynch ever give up hope? Well, neither should you!
by Danny the webservant / webmaster at AdamMeetEve.com

A single Christian captured behind enemy lines--wounded, tormented, brutalized, crippled, home-sick--did Army Pfc. Jessica Lynch ever give up hope? Well, neither should you. No matter what your circumstances, never give up hope.

I got “freedom-loving” goose bumps and moist eyes when the Berlin Wall finally came down. I got those same “freedom-loving” goose bumps when Army Pfc. Jessica Lynch was miraculously rescued on April 1, 2003 from a Nasiriyah hospital. Reports buzzed around the globe of 110 pound, 19 year old Jessica’s injuries: stabbed in combat, two “through‘n’through” bullet holes in her right arm and leg, two broken legs, no feeling in her feet, nothing to eat for 8 days... In the time leading up to Jessica’s rescue, were US Marines “pushing their luck” when they asked that compassionate Iraqi lawyer and his wife to go back to the hospital to further risk their lives drawing detailed maps to Jessica’s hospital room? The Iraqi lawyer witnessed an Iraqi interrogator dressed in black smacking Jessica’s face repeatedly. How had fear of his own death been overcome by brave compassion in this Iraqi lawyer’s heart? In the midst of such brutality by Jessica’s Iraqi captors, had God touched the heart of an Iraqi lawyer? He said that he was impressed by Jessica’s courage and hope of going home. Was Jessica’s courage contagious? How had she persevered after being captured near Nasiriya on March 23, 2003? As I picture Jessica lying there in that hospital for 10 days I wonder what kept her going? Was it hope? Was it faith? Was it a miracle?

When the “through‘n’through” bullet holes piercing her arm and leg shouted “Give up”, did Jessica Lynch give up? Or did God remind her that Jesus loves us so much that Jesus allowed his own hands and feet to be pierced as He died on the cross for our sins?

When the Iraqi brute dressed in black slapped her face, did Jessica Lynch give up? Or did God reminded her that Jesus too was slapped and beaten in Luke chapter 22 verses 63 and 64? “Now the men who held Jesus mocked Him and beat Him. And having blindfolded Him, they struck Him on the face and asked Him, saying, ’Prophesy! Who is the one who struck You?’“

When her broken bones screamed dark, lonely night after dark, lonely night “Give up and die”, did Jessica Lynch give up? Or did God remind her of the words of Jesus; “This is my body which is broken for you...”?

When her heart ached to go home so badly that all she could do is lay there and cry, did Jessica Lynch give up? Or did God remind her that human life is so precious to Him that He counts everyone of our tears?

When her stomach crossed the parched desert of starvation for 8 days, did Jessica Lynch give up? Or did God remind her of this song they sing back home at her church in Palestine, West Virginia: “He is faithful, oh so faithful, for anything today that comes my way....”?

And when she heard the “thunder” of bombs and fighting on the other side of the Euphrates River, she did not give up hope that soon US troops would reach her. Soon US troops would help her get home to her family and friends. I wonder if during the “thunder” of bombs and rockets, God reminded her of a hymn they sing back home at her church in Palestine, West Virginia: “I hear your rolling thunder and there proclaim ‘my God how great thou art’...”?

There is a lesson for all of us in the miracle of Jessica’s rescue.

Are you lonely? Don’t give up hope. God knows your torment.

Are you physically or emotionally suffering? Don’t give up hope. God knows your pain.

Are you hurting financially, perhaps unemployed or underemployed? Don’t give up hope. God knows your need.

This is the land of opportunity. This is one nation under God. This is America, brave, free and full of hope. But more than that, in God's eyes all people of the world are created equal. All people throughout the world were created with an equal right to freedom, liberty and the hope of peace.

God bless you Jessica Lynch for not giving up hope. Thank you for your example of tenacity and courage in the face of great pain and torment, for your hope in the Living God who is always faithful, and lifts us up with His miracles and mercy when we are down!

Pray for the families of troops killed in this war. Pray also for the safe return of other POWs and troops missing in Iraq. And also pray for the people of Iraq, for freedom and courage. And for a new begining!