Who Is Your Chief?

Who Is Your Chief?

Those who accept my commandments and obey them are the ones who love me. And because they love me, my Father will love them.

John 14:21

During the American Revolution, the Colonial soldiers sometimes had great difficulty getting enough horses to sustain their war efforts. So on one occasion, General George Washington sent a young officer to make the rounds of the Virginia countryside and confiscate all the horses he could find.

This was not, as you can imagine, a very popular thing to do, and the Virginians, although supportive of the war effort, highly resented having their prize horses taken from them. So the young officer was often met with stern faces and stubborn resistance.

After several days the officer finally came to a fine old mansion and, seeing a sturdy, matching team of plow horses out in the field, rang the bell at the front door of the mansion and asked to see the mistress of the house.

He was invited into the house and was asked to wait in the drawing room.

In due time, a refined voice asked, “Yes? How may I help you?”

“Madam,” he said to the dignified elderly woman who received him, “I have come to claim your horses in the name of the government.”

“Sir,” was the answer, “you cannot have them. I need them for the spring plowing.”

“I am sorry, Madam. Those are the orders of my chief.”

“And just who is your chief?” she demanded to know.

“General George Washington, commander in chief of the American army.”

“Well, young man,” replied the woman, a smile softening her previously stern features, “you go back and tell General George Washington, commander in chief of the American army, that his mother says he cannot have her horses.”

O Master, we know that you are the Lord of Heaven’s Armies—the commander in chief of the universe—and we want to show that we honor and respect you by obeying your commands. Help us to be obedient and honorable soldiers in your army. Amen.