Posted on 11.27.2023

The Grace of Almighty God and the United States Military - Soapbox Jr.

“I learned at a very early age that two things and two things alone protect America from those who seek to destroy it - the grace of Almighty God and the United States military. - Charlie Daniels

That quote of Dad’s has been shortened by him on several occasions. In fact, the one we have included on our T-shirts is “Only two things protect America, the grace of Almighty God and the United States military.” So, it has existed in various forms for many years, but it is a sentiment he stood by for years and has resonated with many people.

I don’t know of many people – at least not the ones who follow Dad’s social media – who would have a problem with that statement, in either form.

However, an old friend recently sent me a page from a daily devotional that included the quote, but not in the way I expected.

The writer - who I won’t name because he didn’t name Dad -  but suffice it to say he’s a big name in the governing body of the Church of Christ and a senior fellow with Lipscomb University in Nashville.

He begins with “According to a famous country singer, only two things protect America. “The grace of Almighty God and the United States Military.”

He then jumped in to say that the musician (Dad) must not have read Psalm 33:16-17 where it says “The best equipped army cannot save a king, nor is great strength enough to save a warrior. Don’t count on your warhorse to give you victory – for all its strength it cannot save you.”

I can assure you, sir, he read those words many times.

He then pointed to the story of Gideon where God kept instructing Gideon to let more and more of his people go so that God and God alone could defeat the Midianites and not allow Israel to feel that they were able to defeat their foes on their own without God’s help.

He also referenced that David was punished by God for counting Israel’s soldiers. King Jehoshaphat led his armies in prayer which protected his kingdom of Judah from the enemies that gathered against them - Ammon, Moab and Mount Seir – by forcing them to turn against each other and destroy one another without Judah even raising a sword.

The devotional writer then hammers home that God’s people are to rely on Him alone and to respect those who serve, but not to count on them for “ultimate protection” by pointing out that God alone can save.

I think this gentleman needs to re-think what Dad is saying here. Is he saying that our Army, Navy, Air Force, Marines, Coast Guard – and now – Space Force are combined the equivalent to the power of the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit?

Absolutely not!

The order of the words should give a clue as to the importance of the subjects mentioned. Just like with ingredients on a box of cereal, the most important or the most abundant ingredients are listed first, with the lesser ingredients listed in descending order.

At no time did Dad ever equate our U.S. Military power with all the power of heaven above, he merely listed the two things that are essential for protecting our nation, stating that both are essential to our safety, albeit in different measures.

If the author of the devotional had learned more about Dad rather than assuming that his knowledge of the scriptures was lacking in order for him to craft a pithy daily reading about trusting God, I think it would have gone better for him.

As I pointed out recently, Dad was extremely well-read and read his Bible every day.

He knew the stories about trusting military might alone, and I would also point out that God’s involvement with the kingdoms of Israel and Judah had the benefit of His prophets who relayed God’s will to the kings, or spoke directly to individuals as was the case with Gideon and others.

Am I nitpicking a bit?

Did the distinguished author mean to undermine Dad’s grasp of the scriptures?

I don’t know, but I do know that if Dad was alive, he would have written something along the lines of what you just read, although I can assure you, his response would have been much more eloquent than mine.

But, he’s not here, so you’re stuck with me, and I’m always going to stand up for Dad and defend him tooth and nail, and it’s an honor to do so.

I love you Dad. I’ve got your back, always.

What do you think?

Let’s all make the day count!

Pray for our troops, our police, the Peace of Jerusalem and our nation.

God Bless America!

#SonyReleaseHonkyTonkAve

#BenghaziAintGoingAway #End22

—  Charlie Daniels, Jr.

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Check Out The Charlie Daniels Podcast!

Check out "Geechi Geechi Ya Ya Blues" from Beau Weevils - 'Songs in the Key of E'

 

 

Comments

The Grace of Almighty God and The United States Military
Charlie Jr., I'd like to thank you for your great words that are included in this Soapbox. I would also like to point out that, even though your Dad may have been more eloquent, I find your level of eloquence impressively sufficient. Knowing your Dad and what he believed and stood for and just the type of learned Christian and great American that he was, there is no doubt in my mind that he was well aware of exactly what he meant when he originated the quote. I may be a simple man with a simple mind but I think in this case we would all be better off to take your Dad's wonderful words at face value and realize his overwhelming love for both God and our great American military and it's soldiers. Being an overwhelmingly grateful Christian and the grateful and proud father of a soldier, I know that's what his words mean to me. Let's always remember the sacrifice that our Savior gave us and the sacrifice that our soldiers have given us and are willing to give us. I agree with you and your Dad, let's all make the day count and heck, while we're at it, let's all make our lives count too! God bless you and what you do, An Old Friend
Posted by Corey
Thank you, Charlie
I believe while heartedly, you're right, Charlie. Your dad knew exactly what he was saying, and exactly how he meant it. I've loved listening to your dad throughout my life and oomph recently heard a story about your dad and my dad. My dad told me when he was in the airforce sometime between 68-75 my dad was in Charleston SC at a bar with his fellow airmen, my dad was a crew chief, when your dad walked in to the bar. Your dad saw my dad and his airmen and told the wait staff to put a table right in front of the stage for them. All night long your dad would sing his songs and take a break and come down to talk to my dad and his guys. My dad said your dad didn't just buy them one round, your dad paid for them all for the whole night. That's who your dad was, he loved our military and they love him. What your dad did might not dream like much to some but it meant something to my dad, and that means everything to me. I will always love your dad and you guys. I hope to be like your dad as I go forward in life. Thanks for keeping his memory alive, Jesus be with you all, Dan Mello
Posted by Dan
Fleeced
Amen, Amen & Amen Charlie Jr. You are spot on with this one, nobody should ever question Charlie Daniels in his understanding and faithfullnes to our Lord & Savior Jesus Christ nor his unwavery respect and support of the US Military. Give em hell Jr. for somewhere in this mans educated world he got fleeced himself, by judging by what he wants to read into something and not judging the tree by it's fruit. I believe that you could paper both walls of the Grand Canyon if you started listing allof your dads fruit.....nuff said God Bless Plowboy
Posted by Plowboy
Thankful
I am so thankful, that you keep this soapbox going. It was a way for true Americans to express how they felt about current, or past events. I wrote in one time, regarding my thoughts about how, then, we went from 281 veteran suicide, to the very next year, it was over 8000. Charlie Daniels friended me for 1 day. Which I thought, was his way of letting me know, I had his attention regarding our veterans. I cried like I had lost a true friend when Charlie Daniels passed away. Because being an advocate for our veterans, I felt , they had lost a voice that could be heard. I came back here to see if you indeed kept his page up and current. Thank you. I am so thankful to see that. Your dad is smiling, knowing you are your father's son.
Posted by Colleen
Jam #3
I attended the 3rd volunteer jam at the ripe Ole age of seventeen. Growing up in Tennessee in the 70's in Smyrna ment that Charlie was a big part of my musical background . Long haired country boy wS my theme song for many years since I was one myself up to my first week of basic training in 1980 . All that being said , are there any video recordings of this show out there any where ? I have a couple of 110 photos I took from the floor , and the 70's being the 70's , that show is pretty foggy in my memories.
Posted by Warren