Golden Nuggets January 20, 2019 by Pastor Doug Duble THE DOG SOLDIERS The Cheyenne Indians of the 1800s, living on the Great Plains of the United States, had six warrior societies.Perhaps the greatest of these was known as the Dog Soldiers.English journalist Henry Stanley, upon viewing them, described the Dog Soldiers as the “Spartans of the plains.”Each wore a sash around his waist, called a dog rope, with a picket pin at the end.The picket pin was a pointed stake tied to the end of the rope.This could be driven into the ground to tie a dog or to tether a horse which could then graze but not wander off.In the case of the Dog Soldier, the pin was driven into the ground as a mark of resolve in combat.When a Dog Soldier was staked to the ground in order to cover the retreat of his companions, he was required to remain their even if death was the consequence.The Dog Man could pull the pin from the ground only if his companions reached safety or another Dog Soldier released him from his duty. Imagine you yourself as a Dog Soldier.Your tribe is under attack by a strong enemy, and the battle has turned against you.Everyone must flee to preserve their life and the lives of their loved ones, but the enemy is pressing the fight, eager to wipe out every man, woman, and child.So, despite being alone against hundreds, perhaps thousands, you turn to face the adversary, uncoil your dog rope, and drive your pin into the ground.You are prepared to delay the enemy so that others can escape.Your hope is to slow down the foe for as long as possible, even if it’s only a minute or two.You might be thinking, “What chance do we have, perhaps I should just pull the pin or untie the rope and run.”But you immediately dismiss that thought.You remember who you are.Pulling the pin is not an option for you, untying the rope is not on your menu, running is not a possibility.You are a Dog Soldier.You committed to give your life, if necessary, on the day that you were welcomed into the warrior society. So you stand firm. Are we not in a similar, but spiritual fight?Do we not face an adversary that wants to destroy us and our loved ones?Have we not committed ourselves to give our lives, if necessary?Are we not soldiers fighting against the world, the flesh, and the devil?“Be on the alert, stand firm in the faith, act like men, be strong. Let all you do be done in love” (I Cor 16:13-14).Step up and fulfill your calling. Pastor Doug