Appreciate our Military
Joshua 1:9 Have I not commanded you? Be strong and of good courage; do not be afraid, nor be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.
Psalm 18:2 The LORD is my rock and my fortress and my deliverer; My God, my strength, in whom I will trust; My shield and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold.
Psalm 91 frequently termed the soldier’s Psalm
Proverbs 3:5-6 Trust in the LORD with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct your paths.
Isaiah 41:6, 10 Everyone helped his neighbor and said to his brother, “Be of good courage!”
Luke 3:14 Likewise the soldiers asked him, saying, “And what shall we do?” So He said to them, “Do not intimidate anyone or accuse falsely, and be content with your wages.”
John 15:13 Greater love has no one than this: than to lay down one’s life for one’ friends.
Romans 13:4 For he is God’s minister to you for good. But if you do evil, be afraid; for he does not bear the sword in vain; for he is God’s minister, and avenger to execute wrath on him who practices evil.
Ephesians 6:10-17 Putting on the full armor of God to fight battles and resist the devil
1 Corinthians 9:7 Who ever goes to war at his own expense? Who plants a vineyard and does not eat of its fruit? . . .
2 Corinthians 10:4 For the weapons of our war are not carnal but mighty in God for pulling down strongholds.
2 Timothy 2:3-4 You therefore must endure hardship as a good soldier of Jesus Christ. No one engaged in warfare entangles himself with the affairs of this life, that he may please him who enlisted him as a soldier
Today is July 3. Tomorrow our country celebrates Independence Day. Our independence was won from England almost 250 years ago, July 2, 1776. For the most part, I wonder how many actually think of our men and women who are presently fighting for our freedoms somewhere in the world. I know their family and friends here will be thinking of them.
People began coming to this country back in the 1600″s, with Jamestown, VA being the first established in 1607, and the next largest and best known was Plymouth, MA in 1620. Many were sent as prisoners–some for inability to pay taxes, some for minor crimes, and some came for religious freedoms.
In the 1500’s several stood up demanding better access to the Written Word of God. Many did not care for the fact they were kept away from Bibles once publishing became more readily available; they wanted to read the words for themselves–not have the Roman Catholic Church say what could be shared, as well as many of the Catholic dictates at that time. Martin Luther , John Calvin, King Henry VIII and others questioned the Catholic Church and many of their practices. It started a huge religious and political debate throughout England and the Netherlands and so forth and certainly in Rome. The Catholic Church was accustomed to gathering in payments as they were the interpreters of the Word, and demanded payment to support the church, the priests and taking care of the upkeep for the various churches.
But eventually, many different thoughts and many diverse views within the churches — Lutheranism, Calvinism and so forth. This all caused a stir among the political and religious factions, leading many to want to strike out and go to a brand new land and develop their own religious community. So many fled England and upper Europe looking for new starts, adventure, and land, new opportunities. Hope.
However, mostly in the twentieth century and moving forward, our country celebrated with get-togethers, food, camaraderie, and fireworks. A time of summer celebrations, get-togethers, and fireworks. A time to enjoy our freedom, all sorts of yummy foods, and the lovely evening light shows.
But how many remember the reason we should be truly celebrating and honoring our military who have fought and sometimes died for our freedoms. For our independence. Ours is one of the most blessed countries in the world. In large part due to our military and their efforts to keep our freedoms. Our military have served under “real” fireworks–cannons, machine guns, rifles and bombs and more weapons of mass destruction. I hope we take the time to say a genuine thanks for what these men and women and their families have given to ensure our independence, our freedom. These men and women are educated and trained in their military jobs to go and serve to keep our country free. They are separated oftentimes from many of the blessings that we enjoy daily–and sometimes just take for granted.
Just as a quick for instance, do you think about electricity when you flip a switch? What about running water when you want a drink, flush the toilet, take a shower? Pretty much we take these things as a given, a commonplace occurrence. Until something breaks. But often our military are sent to places that run on generators, they are treating the water to make it drinkable and usable. Many are coming home scarred, with loss of limbs, part of faces, eyes, etc, wounded on the outside and inside. Yet they have given, donated, SACRIFICED a portion of their lives so we can enjoy the privileges this country offers.
My eldest son spent some time in Iraq working as a civilian a few years ago. He lived in a tent and dealt with the constant sand, heat and discomforts. There were bombings nearby, and it was not a place he ever totally relaxed. His job was not to find and disable mine fields, be on patrol and risk a bombing, or sniper shootings, or to deal with precious children who have bombs strapped to them and are sacrificed in the name of Allah. But he worked with people whose jobs did put them in more direct contact with these dangers. I have good friends who have one son in Syria and it is definitely not a vacation spot. There are frequent bombings, planes dropping missiles, food is definitely “not home cookin’.” He has served in the Army for six years and is confident in his training, but this deployment has been one where there is little relaxation and he and his friends are always on-guard. They will not be celebrating the holiday much, and hopefully their “fireworks” will bring no injuries or death.
Enjoy your Independence Day celebrations. But please remember there are many of our military who are not able to celebrate this day of freedom tomorrow. Because they are off working, some in horrific conditions, so that we can enjoy ours. Our military deserve our gratitude. They are another blessing this country has. May God keep each of you safe.
Lord, I thank You for all military men and women and their families. It is a sacrifice for them to serve. Thank You for the freedoms this country still has for now. I am forever grateful to You for what You have done for me and ‘mybellaviews.’
“A living is what you get; a life is what you give.” quote from a church sign published in “The Great Book of American Church Signs” by Donald Seitz, 2008, Publishing Company Sock and Roll Company, 900 20th Ave South, Suite 614, Nashville, TN 37212
Comments