On October 8, 1862, 20,000 Union soldiers faced off against 16,800 Confederate soldiers in one of the bloodiest battles of the Civil War. When the fighting was over, there were almost 8000 casualties between the two sides. Even though the Rebels were outnumbered and outgunned, they were the victors at this battle fought near Perryville, Kentucky. However, the Confederate troops were ordered to quickly retreat when they received word that another 40,000 Union troops were nearby.
Those troops should have been in the battle, but because of a strange phenomenon known as an “acoustic shadow,” they didn’t even know there was a battle nearby. An “acoustic shadow,” or “sound shadow,” is an “area through which sound waves fail to propagate, due to topographical obstructions or disruption of the waves via phenomena such as wind currents, buildings, or sound barriers.”
The westerly breeze and the rolling hills of Kentucky created the strange phenomenon that blocked the sound of the battle to Union General Buell and his men. Many historians firmly believe that if Buell had engaged in that battle, it would have been a decisive blow to the Confederacy, and as such the war might have only continued for only a few more months, not two more years.
How many Christians aren’t in the great battle being waged by Satan due to a “spiritual acoustic shadow? “That “acoustic shadow” is social media, television, careers, and a plethora of other things that block the sounds of the battle all around us. Jesus said: “But blessed are your eyes, for they see: and your ears, for they hear.” (Matthew 13:16)
Jesus is telling us to keep our eyes and ears open, to focus on Him and others. There is a giant spiritual warfare going on all around us. Christian families, marriages, and children are under attack. The church is also under attack, as well as the Bible. Can you hear it? Can you not see it? Are you in the battle or on the sidelines? Get your armor on and get in the battle today!
“Sound the battle cry!
See, the foe is nigh;
Raise the standard high for the Lord;
Gird your armor on, stand firm every one;
Rest your cause upon His holy Word.
Rouse, then, soldiers, rally round the banner,
Ready, steady, pass the word along;
Onward, forward, shout aloud Hosanna!
Christ is Captain of the mighty throng.”
“Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might. Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.” (Ephesians 6:10-12)