“Dam Buster” (Sun Tzu 5:5b) (Galatians 5:23; 2 Peter 1:6f; 1 Peter 13f; 5:8; Matthew 24:44; 2 Timothy 1:7f; Proverbs 25:28; Ecclesiastes 3:1, 17; Romans 5:6; Galatians 4:4; Romans 9:22-24)

A dam that breaks releases power,
And mighty force within the hour;
Sweeps down the gorge, as pent-up force,
Floats boulders in its water-course.

It’s smashing fury devastates;
It’s rushing torrent penetrates
Each structure with explosive might –
In cataclysm, blows from sight.

So fast it comes from silent stance;
Strategic power’s like that advance –
Controlled release with sudden burst,
That’s combat power’s ferocious worst.

Momentum builds as it roars on,
’For all before is swept along;
Called “power” before the dam is burst,
Then “might” as torrent does its worst.

But dams can’t move, they’re in one place;
It’s happenstance if downhill race
Can sweep away some enemy;
Skilled warriors can make that be –

In any place, at any time;
A good commander sets his mind
To build a dam with focused power,
For timed release at battle’s hour.

Then force is swift – it’s onset bursts
Like dam released with torrent’s worst;
Sophisticated in the fight
Release an overwhelming might.

Just like a catapult drawn back,
Potential builds before attack;
Like cross-bow when it’s fully drawn,
Attack awaits the break of dawn.

“Configured power” in strategy,
Called, “Shik”, is held back patiently;
“Restrained release” – both where and when,
Is how it’s used to victory gain.

Such might is irresistible;
Effect is quite predictable;
For all is swept before its force,
Like boulders in a watercourse.

Apostle Paul a question raised
About God’s power and might these days –
“What if, to show His might and power
God exercised restraint this hour –

“Instead of bursting dam on all
With sweeping power, He chose to call
Us to perceive the pent-up force
He’s holding back – from water-course?”

We ask, “Where’s God in all this mess?
Is He not into righteousness?
Has He no power to sweep away
The evil aspects of our day?”

To which Paul says, “Behind the dam
Is power to win, and win He can –
But He has chosen to restrain
Release of wrath – that we might gain –

Some time to smarten up our ways;
To change our hearts within our days;
But one day hence, we know not when,
The dam will burst – sweep clean again.”

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