Wounded Tiger

T. Martin Bennett writes a remarkable nonfiction book, Wounded Tiger.[1] It narrates the true story of Mitsuo Fuchida, Jake DeShazer, and the Covell family, showcasing the intersection of their lives during World War II and its aftermath. I highly recommend this book for its profound depiction of God’s redemptive hand at work.

Fuchida was the renowned Japanese naval pilot who led the successful attack on Pearl Harbor and communicated back to Japan the famous code word for victory, “Tora, tora, tora” (Tiger, tiger, tiger). Bennett shares the trajectory of Fuchida’s success before and during the war, as well as the remarkable circumstances that unfolded in his life after a catastrophic defeat.
            
DeShazer was one of the famous Doolittle Raiders who bombed Japan early in the war, shocking the Japanese. His story as a POW in China is riveting, and his faith journey is equally compelling. If you do not already know the story, you will be amazed by the calling God places on Jake’s heart and his eventual meeting with Mitsuo.
            
The Covell family served as missionaries in Japan before fleeing to the island of Panay in the Philippines before the war broke out.  Their heroic story and the actions of their daughter Peggy, which eventually impact Fuchida, are amazing. 
 
Meditation
Colossians 1:14--We have redemption, the forgiveness of sins, in Him.
 
Fuchida and DeShazer should have died multiple times, yet God intervened to keep them alive to serve His purpose. When we think of redemption, we often associate it with God delivering us from sin, which is a wonderful thing for which to be eternally grateful. However, do we realize that redemption is far more significant than just salvation? Redemption is just a piece of a greater work that God accomplishes in fulfilling His will. 
            
When our lives were transformed after we placed our faith in Jesus, it was for a purpose. Our Father wants to use us in His family to further His work. An angel in the Korean War miraculously rescued my father in combat before he even knew Jesus as his Savior. Had God not intervened to rescue him, I would not exist or be writing this. More importantly, thousands of Koreans might not have become followers of Jesus through Dad’s testimony and missionary service across Korea. God spared my father to reach the Korean people. Similarly, when God took my mother to heaven due to cancer at the young age of 36, her example of faith impacted countless people, including me. In life and in death, God achieves His purpose.
            
Have you ever asked the Holy Spirit to guide you in fulfilling His will as a result of your redemption? Your story is not just about you; it intertwines with others to accomplish a divine plan that we won't fully understand until we reach heaven. This is why it's so important to listen to and obey God as He leads us, and why we should seek His guidance daily. Living life for our pursuits is far less fulfilling than being tools in the hands of the Master. 
 
Inspiration
“The degree in which God will work depends on me, not on God; if I refuse in any part of my being to let God work, I not only limit Him, but I begin to criticize the redemption.”—Oswald Chambers in Thy Great Redemption 22
 
©2025 Daniel York ARR.  Reveration is the weekly devotional ministry of First Cause.  If you would like to receive these devotionals, go to www.firstcause.org and click on the “Click here to receive weekly devotionals” box.  Unlimited permission to copy this devotional without altering text or profiteering is allowed, subject to inclusion of this copyright notice.      
 
Ecclesiastes 12:10-The Teacher sought to find delightful sayings and to accurately write words of truth.  (Holman CSB)

[1] Bennett, T. M. (2014). Wounded tiger. Onstad Press.