Thanking God from Iraq

A first-hand account of God’s faithfulness during combat

Colonel Gregg F. Martin, United States Army

In His Time
Three years ago, I was scheduled to command at Fort Lewis - my dream assignment. Then our son came down with a severe illness. I asked to defer, and stepped off the “fast track” to focus on our son’s health. Throughout this crisis, God kept me in His grip with the promise, “…we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to His purpose” (Romans 8:28). God drew us closer to Him and forged stronger family bonds. Our son recovered.

The Army re-slated me to command the 130th Engineer Brigade in Europe. God placed me where He wanted, in His time. His promise is timeless: “For I know the plans I have for you…plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future” (Jeremiah 29:11).

Submit, Sharpen and Serve
While I took time for my son, the Lord helped me set priorities. First, submit fully to God. Second, sharpen my axe by strengthening my relationship to God in prayer, Scriptures and fellowship. As we sharpen the axe, we must balance all the edges of life by developing mind, body, soul and relationships with friends and family. Third, serve others. Servant leadership commits to God and improves one’s world by dedicating the gifts God grants - time, talents and treasure - to serving God and others.

Command
Taking command of the 130th and becoming chief engineer for V (Fifth) Corps when I did was like leaping onto a “fast moving train.” People and missions were spread all across Europe and we were simultaneously planning for war in Iraq. The deployment order came New Year’s Eve. We shipped our equipment to Kuwait and did a preparatory exercise.

A week prior to deployment, V Corps Commanding General, LTG William Wallace, held a Prayer Lunch for senior leaders and spouses. He dedicated our efforts to God and asked for His wisdom, guidance and protection. He told us, “…all day long I prepare for war, and all night long I pray for peace.”

War
The engineers played a critical role in the invasion and liberation of Iraq. During the ground offensive, I led the Brigade and the V Corps engineer fight from the front, moving around the battlefield to the most critical missions. From reducing the border obstacles and preparing the attack lanes, to bridging the Euphrates, to building roads, airfields and supply bases, God blessed and protected us as we attacked to Baghdad. We then moved north and west to secure and rebuild Iraq, and win the peace. The V Corps engineer team grew to a potent force of more than 19,000.

Success The Lord granted us victory, as well as success beyond our dreams. “The horse is made ready for the day of battle, but victory rests with the Lord” (Proverbs 21:31).

The sappers of the Victory (V) Corps were all over the battlespace, providing value wherever they were employed.... river crossing operations, building and maintaining infrastructure, conducting stability and support operations [SASO], repairing airfields, conducting combat operations, and much, much more... all done to an exceptionally high standard... each member of this high-energy team is a national hero.
-Lieutenant General William S. Wallace
Former Commanding General, V (U.S.) Corps

God’s Hand
Throughout the war, I have claimed God’s promise for guidance, “Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will make your paths straight” (Proverbs 3:5-6). God’s exhortation to Joshua drove us on, “ …Be strong and courageous. Do not be terrified; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go” (Joshua 1:9). While serving my soldiers and nation, I never forgot for long that ultimately I was serving God.

God’s Encouragement
During the attack, previously memorized Scripture kept me in His grip. As commanded throughout the Bible, God continually reminded me to “Fear not!” and to “Be joyful always; pray continually; give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus...” (1 Thessalonians 5:16-18). This “attitude of gratitude in ALL circumstances” became our brigade motto.

Devotionals such as “My Utmost for His Highest” by Oswald Chambers also nourished my soul. Listening to spiritual music and hymns while sleeping replenished my soul for the next day of combat operations. Often I would see or hear artillery fire or combat aircraft flash across the night sky as I lay in the desert, listening to praise music. This was so inspirational that I still listen nightly.

Not Done
When we were told last July that we would serve a full year in Iraq, I gained inspiration from Chaplain Doug Carver’s sermon on Galatians 6:9-10, “Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up. Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all people…”
 
After “sprinting” for five months, then learning we still had seven months to go, I realized we were running a “combat marathon” in a grueling and dangerous environment. God re-energized me. I reviewed my Command Philosophy, written earlier in peacetime, and found that every word applied in combat. We still need to balance mind, body, soul and social relationships. We still need to make time for soldiers to “sharpen their axe.” We restored balance between mission, training, and maintenance of equipment and people, so soldiers and units would grow stronger.

At the same time, my wife and I have moved to support our chaplains here and at home. With death and destruction lurking and soldiers knowing that any day could be their last, the search and hunger for spiritual meaning is the strongest we’ve seen. Chapel attendance and prayer has risen dramatically. At every stage of the campaign, our chaplains have provided inspiration and encouragement.

Thanks Lord
I thank God for our soldiers and leaders, who bravely do their duty each day; for our families and friends who courageously support us and sacrifice so much back home; and for our faithful prayer warriors. I thank Him for my wife and family, and for our many blessings.

Moreover, I thank God for using something as painful as my son’s illness to work in mysterious ways to place me at the right place, in His time.

Pray
Please continue to pray for our deployed soldiers, our killed and wounded comrades, and our families. Pray that we, like the Apostle Paul, can say, “…the time has come for my departure. I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith” (2 Timothy 4:6-7). “Attitude of Gratitude in ALL Circumstances”