Tomorrow marks the 66th
anniversary of the sudden and unprovoked attack on the Republic of Korea
(South) by Communist North Korean Forces preceded by a heavy barrage of intense
artillery fire across the Demilitarized Zone. The South Koreans were
practically defenseless against the onslaught of infantry and Soviet-supplied
armor units pouring into the southern half of the Korean peninsula. The unarmed
population fled south ahead of the leading elements of the North Korean Army,
carrying what few position they could salvage, over bulging roadways and bombed
or sabotaged bridges. It was a sad and tragic moment in the history of the
Korean people whose land represented a strategic causeway both to Japan and
China.
A decade ago, I had the sorrowful duty to conduct a funeral service for a
Korean lady of my church – her name was Im. She had passed away after a long
and hard-fought battle with Leukemia leaving behind an aged mother and young
daughter. The aged mother was approaching 90 years in age, and the daughter was
in her early teens. It was a sad thing to see a mother (Mrs. Yi) of such age
mourn the loss of a daughter that had shared such unusual, and near miraculous,
experiences of the Korean War.
When the war began, many families were separated. Some lived in the south that
had family also in the north. After the Inchon landing resulting in the
liberation of Seoul and much of the territory lying above the DMZ, many refugees
fled the north seeking relief and safety from the harsh Communist regime of the
north. Mrs. Yi’s husband was one of those who fled south. He left behind his
wife (Mrs. Yi) and their two-year-old daughter, Im. His plan was to go south,
find a refugee camp that offered the essentials of life, and then return to
recover his wife and daughter. Unfortunately, the intensity of battle along the
Imjin River dividing North and South precluded his return. It was hazardous for
any soul to expose himself in the open hills and rice paddies in the vicinity
of the old DMZ. But he was able to get messages to his wife. It would be less
dangerous for her, being a woman with child, to flee south than a military-age
male.
The plan was made for Mrs. Yi to cross the Imjin River into South Korea under
cover of darkness and to meet her husband at one of the designated refugee
camps. The plan was complicated by the constant surveillance that existed of
the River both day and night. It was a dangerous proposition. But early one
morning, Mrs. Yi saw that the view of the River occluded by dense fog – so
dense that one could barely see beyond arm’s length. She decided this was her
moment of opportunity. Tying the baby to her back by a blanket, Mrs. Yi began
to ford the Imjin River at a point known to be its shallowest. She evaded being
sighted by the ruthless Communist forces. Reaching the southern side, and
traveling some distance south, she sought her husband at the reported refugee
camp – but he was not there. He had been transferred to another camp further
south. Trudging on with the baby as her lightest (and only) burden, she finally
arrived at the camp at which she believed her husband had been sent. There were
literally thousands of refugees there. It would be a daunting task to find her
husband among so many; yet, the moment she entered the camp, she spotted a man
whom she immediately identified as her husband – and it WAS!
Now more than fifty years later, this poor mother (Mrs. Yi) sat in a funeral in
Enterprise, Alabama, for her daughter – the same daughter whom she had carried
on that long trudge south and across the foggy waters of the Imjin River. It
seemed tragic, indeed. But her daughter had not crossed the Imjin alone for she
had her mother as her protector and keeper. Now, however, Daughter Im had come
to another river that must be crossed by all of us. No one on earth can see us
across, or be our burden-barrier in crossing the unsettled waters of Jordan
Banks. The great mass of humanity shall make that final crossing of
Jordan Waters alone, for they have none to call upon for their help. They have
failed, in life, to make friends with that heavenly Personage who can bear them
across the Jordan and bring them to the happy shores beyond. Others have,
indeed, heard the voice of the Good shepherd, followed Him while seed time and
harvest remained, and have that mighty Hand upon which to call for their help
at the banks of Jordan Waters.
I will lift up mine eyes unto the hills, from whence cometh my help. My help
cometh from the LORD, which made heaven and earth. He will not suffer thy foot
to be moved: he that keepeth thee will not slumber. (Psalm
121:1-3)
We read in the Book of Exodus of another crossing of great waters (the Red Sea)
of the people of God. They had someone to bear them across on dry land – to
lead them, and to be their rear guard as well. That someone was the great
Pillar of fire by Night, and Cloud by Day which both led and followed the
Children of God across the Red Sea Waters and the wilderness beyond.
21 And the LORD went before them by
day in a pillar of a cloud, to lead them the way; and by night in a pillar of
fire, to give them light; to go by day and night: 22 He took not away the pillar of the cloud
by day, nor the pillar of fire by night, from before the people. (Ex
13:21-22)
1 Moreover,
brethren, I would not that ye should be ignorant, how that all our fathers were
under the cloud, and all passed through the sea; 2 And were all baptized unto Moses in the
cloud and in the sea; 3 And did all eat the same spiritual meat; 4 And did all drink the same
spiritual drink: for they drank of that spiritual Rock that followed them: and
that Rock was Christ” (1
Cor 10:1-4)
It is indeed a blessing that Daughter Im had found that security in Christ upon
which to call at the fading moments of this earthly life that precedes the brilliant
and resplendent Light beyond.
Not long after, Mrs. Yi also came to those same shores, was escorted across by
her Lord and to a happy and glorious reunion with the daughter whom she once
carried across another river those many years past. And she, too, slept
with her fathers. Of such, I feel confident.
