Thankful For Our Veterans

 John 15:13


13 Greater love has no one than this, than to lay down one’s life for his friends.


Today is Veterans Day, and I wish to use today’s devotional to wish my thanksgiving unto God for giving us Veterans.  Brave men and women who are and were willing to lay down their life for the simple principles of freedom and for the basic freedom that I have to type this devotional and the freedom that you have to read it.  


There is an old adage that says, “There are no atheists in foxholes.”  For the veterans I know in my life, that seems to ring true.  However, sometimes the horror of war can also harden some men’s hearts to the thought of God.  That was the whole reason why Mere Christianity was written by CS Lewis during WW2.   The horrors of war are man’s doing and not God’s though.  Man made the choice to sin and rebel against God and because of that, evils such as war exist.  One day, they will no longer exist!  Praise God!


However, we must not quickly dismiss the pain and trauma that is sometimes caused by war.  Sometimes that trauma is not even brought on by the battlefield.  The strain and stress of being away from home can be a huge burden on a soldier.  The lack of sleep and bodily strain also has an effect on our emotions and can cause undue trauma.  The family life of a soldier can be sometimes traumatic and hard to bear.  


The reality is that many of our veterans have had to fight battles both on and off the battlefield.  


On this day, we should remember them, thank them, and above all pray for them.


While some soldiers do find refuge in Christ, some do not.  For my friends who are vets who are reading this and do not have a personal relationship with Christ, I want you to know only two things.  I love you and Jesus Christ loves you. 


Freedom is very much a “God thing.”  


2 Corinthians 3:17 says,  17 Now the Lord is the Spirit; and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty.


For the men and women who were willing to lay down their lives for liberty and freedom, I thank my God that He gave you to us.  I’m ever grateful for your time and your sacrifices.


God promises freedom and protection for those who serve Him.  For my friends out there, please reflect on these verses.


"So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed." John 8:36

“For freedom Christ has set us free; stand firm…” Galatians 5:1

“Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me;" Psalm 23:4

“The Spirit of the Lord God is upon me, because the Lord has anointed me to bring good news to the poor; he has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives, and the opening of the prison to those who are bound.” Isaiah 61:1

For the Lord your God is the one who goes with you to fight for you against your enemies to give you victory." Deuteronomy 20:4

“If God is for us, who can be against us?” Romans 8:31

“Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go." Joshua 1:9

"Blessed be the Lord, my rock, who trains my hands for war, and my fingers for battle; he is my steadfast love and my fortress, my stronghold and my deliverer, my shield and he in whom I take refuge..." Psalm 144:1-2

“Blessed is the nation whose God is the Lord, the people He chose for His inheritance.”  Psalm 33:12

"The Lord your God is in your midst, a victorious warrior. He will exult over you with joy, He will be quiet in His love, He will rejoice over you with shouts of joy."  Zephaniah 3:17

“He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High Will abide in the shadow of the Almighty. I will say to the LORD, ‘My refuge and my fortress, My God, in whom I trust!’” Psalm 91:1-2

My friends,  I pray for you on this day.  I pray that you have a great day in the Lord.  Thank you for your service.  Thank you for your love.  I thank God for you.

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