“Behold, how good and how pleasant it is for brothers to dwell together in unity” (Psalm 133:1).

Psalm 133

On December 22, 1944, at approximately 11:30 A.M., four German soldiers waving two white peace flags approached General Anthony McAuliffe, senior commanding officer of the U.S. 101st Airborne Division, who had just secured the town of Bastogne, Belgium, during the pivotal Battle of the Bulge in the closing days of World War II.

The following note was given to the American commander from German General Heinrich Freiherr von Lüttwitz as 54,000 soldiers from seven divisions of the German army surrounded the highly outnumbered 101st Airborne, with its 11,000 “nitty gritty” fighting soldiers, and only 11,000 other American fighters:

To the U.S.A. Commander of the encircled town of Bastogne,

The fortune of war is changing. This time the U.S.A. forces in and near Bastogne have been encircled by strong German armored units. More German armored units have crossed the river Our near Ortheuville, have taken Marche and reached St. Hubert by passing through Hompre-Sibret-Tillet. Libramont is in German hands.

There is only one possibility to save the encircled U.S.A. troops from total annihilation: that is the honorable surrender of the encircled town. In order to think it over a term of two hours will be granted beginning with the presentation of this note.

If this proposal should be rejected one German artillery corps and six heavy A. A. battalions are ready to annihilate the U.S.A. troops in and near Bastogne. The order for firing will be given immediately after this two hours term.

Signed,

The German Commander.

Upon reading the note, the salty, veteran U.S. general staunchly replied, “Nuts! … U.S. surrender? Aw nuts.”

The severe battle that followed was not without casualties, but the 101st prevailed with the help of reinforcements and won a decisive victory. The success of the 101st in that battle was pivotal to the final defeat of the German tyranny and Allied victory in World War II.

The Germans greatly underestimated the strategic power of teamwork, as it had been demonstrated again and again by the 101st “Screaming Eagles” since its inception in 1918 at Camp Shelby, Mississippi. The division’s first commander, Major General William Coler, commissioned the 101st with these prophetic words: “Each individual, each officer, each enlisted man must regard himself as a necessary part of a complex and powerful instrument for the overcoming of the enemies of our nation.”

As it is in wars with guns and tanks, so it is in the spiritual battles every man and woman face every day of their lives. The power of team wins wars. The power of team defeats Satan, the archenemy of God.

• Proverbs 27:17 – “Iron sharpens iron, so one man sharpens another.”
  • How does an honest accountability relationship help us to overcome sin?

• Hebrews 10:24-25 – “And let us consider how to stimulate one another to love and good deeds, not forsaking our own assembling together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another; and all the more as you see the day drawing near.”
  • According to this passage, what vital contribution does teamwork make to the fulfilling of your mission from Jesus?

• Ecclesiastes 4:9-12 – “Two are better than one because they have a good return for their labor. For if either of them falls, the one will lift up his companion. But woe to the one who falls when there is not another to lift him up. Furthermore, if two lie down together they keep warm, but how can one be warm alone? And if one can overpower him who is alone, two can resist him. A cord of three strands is not quickly torn apart.”
• Galatians 2:20 – “I have been crucified with Christ; and it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself up for me.”
  • How can you develop a godly team around you?
  • What do you need to do to become a better team player yourself?

• Proverbs 11:14 – “Where there is no guidance the people fall, but in abundance of counselors there is victory.”
  • Why must you always keep submitting yourself to a strong team of believers?

• Romans 15:5-6 – “Now may the God who gives perseverance and encouragement grant you to be of the same mind with one another according to Christ Jesus, so that with one accord you may with one voice glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.”
  • A team bound together by the Holy Spirit for the cause of making Jesus known to the world is the strongest band of foot soldiers ever assembled. Do you have such a team around you? If not, what steps can you take, starting today, to begin building it?

• 1 John 1:7 – “But if we walk in the Light as He Himself is in the Light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus His Son cleanses us from all sin.”
  • Why is “walking in the Light” essential for building a team?
    THE SHEPHERD’S CALL

    John 13:15 – ​“For I gave you an example that you also should do as I did to you.”

    From today’s scripture, how does THE Shepherd inspire you to shepherd your flock?

    MINUTE OF MEDITATION

    “Behold, how good and how pleasant it is for brothers to dwell together in unity” (Psalm 133:1).

    PRAYER

    Adoration, Confession, Thanksgiving, Supplication