Tonight we seek to remember and honor both military and civilians; however, I wish to take a few minutes to consider those in the military. We have much to learn from our military men and women who have surrendered their lives to fight for our country’s freedom; things that can be applied to our walk with the Lord and the Christian fight:
1.) Our military men and women realize they have been called and equipped to fight. In the Christian walk, we have been called and equipped to fight spiritual battles. David said, “He teaches my hands to make war, so that my arms can bend a bow of bronze. You have also given me the shield of Your salvation” (Psalm 18:34-35a).
2.) Our military men and women realize that fighting is absolutely necessary to obtain freedom. Freedom isn’t really free. The same thing is true in bringing about spiritual freedom. We must fight. Jesus said, “Do not think that I came to bring peace on earth. I did not come to bring peace but a sword” (Matthew 10:34).
3.) Our military men and women realize that fighting is not only necessary, but good. In the Christian walk, we must fight if we are ever going to reach the goal of leading others to find eternal life through faith in Jesus Christ. Paul encouraged young Timothy, “Fight the good fight of faith, lay hold on eternal life, to which you were also called and have confessed the good confession in the presence of many witnesses” (1 Timothy 6:12).
4.) Our military men and women realize that a good soldier must be one hundred percent committed in order to win. A believer must be careful not to backslide and fall away in the faith, if he or she ever hopes to please the Father. Paul encouraged Timothy, “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” (2 Timothy 2:3-4).
5.) Our military men and women understand that once a soldier, always a soldier unto death – semper fi. Paul said, “I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith” (2 Timothy 4:7).
Each of the things I have shared demonstrate the deep character found in our military men and women; and should serve as an inspiration to grow strong in our Christian character and in our willingness to fight for the souls of men. Freedom isn’t really free; therefore, we must get over our aversion to war, and join in the spiritual fight. I wish to conclude by sharing a poem by Joyce Kilmer:
The bugle echoes shrill and sweet,
But not of war it sings to-day.
The road is rhythmic with the feet,
Of men-at-arms who come to pray.
The roses blossom white and red,
On tombs where weary soldiers lie;
Flags wave above the honored dead,
And martial music cleaves the sky.
Above their wreath-strewn graves we kneel,
They kept the faith and fought the fight.
Through flying lead and crimson steel,
They plunged for Freedom and the Right.
May we, their grateful children, learn,
Their strength, who lie beneath this sod;
Who went through fire and death to earn,
At last the accolade of God.
In shining rank on rank arrayed,
They march, the legions of the Lord;
He is their Captain unafraid,
The Prince of Peace . . . Who brought a sword.