"Sandbags"

 

“Sandbags”

 

Here in Florida sandbags are a common item for flood protection, especially during hurricane storm surges. But they’re also used under less threatening conditions. In recent weeks I’ve noticed some near the doors to the lower level of our church building because of sudden downpours. This aroused my curiosity as to their history and other uses.

Sandbags can be traced back to antiquity when they were utilized for protection, fortifications and (as they are today) flood control. They began to be made and used as we now know them (sand in a bag made of sturdy material) in the 18^th century, particularly in The Netherlands. Along with levees they form an effective barrier when dangerous weather conditions arise. During World War II Londoners used them during frequent Axis bombings and they were also placed on tanks to provide added defense against anti-tank weapons.

The term can be used colloquially for deceiving a person or group in order to gain some kind of advantage or to hinder progress. Some have traced it to poker players’ pretending to have a good hand to prompt others to “up the ante” (in such cases it’s synonymous with bluff). Others say it originated with those wanting to maintain control by blocking others’ suggestions and efforts.

Scripture cites a number of examples of sandbagging to hinder God’s work. In Ezra 4:4 we’re told that the Jews’ enemies “…set out to discourage the people of Judah and made them afraid to go on building.” Some time later a complaint was brought that the Jews’ motive for rebuilding was “…to the detriment of the royal interests.” and caused the work to stop (Ezra 4:23). Later research into historical records showed that Cyrus, an earlier emperor, had issued a decree stating, “Let the temple be rebuilt….” (Ezra 6:3) which was done under the leadership of Zerubbabel. So the attempted sandbagging ultimately failed. Then about 75 years later Nehemiah answered God’s call to rebuild Jerusalem’s wall. The project was completed in 52 days (Nehemiah 6:15) but not without at least six attempts at sandbagging the work. In each case God’s servant called on Him for help which overcame the opposition. On these and other occasions God intervened to fulfill His purposes.

Maybe you’ve felt the efforts of our archenemy to sandbag your life in some way. If so, listen to King David: “In (God’s) strength I can crush an army; with my God I can scale any wall.” (Psalm 18:29, NLT)—including those of sandbags! So with His prophet let’s “Trust in the Lord forever….” (Isaiah 26:4).

 

Grace and Blessings!

Jim McMillan