Honoring Those Who Fight and Serve
by Dr. Paul Chappell
“And after him was Eleazar the son of Dodo, the Ahohite, who was one of the three mighties. He was with David at Pasdammim, and there the Philistines were gathered together to battle, where was a parcel of ground full of barley; and the people fled from before the Philistines. And they set themselves in the midst of that parcel, and delivered it, and slew the Philistines; and the LORD saved them by a great deliverance.”
1 Chronicles 11:12–14
No people have ever been free unless a price has been paid for that freedom. This has been true throughout recorded human history. In America, we have enjoyed a level of liberty that is almost unprecedented for people to believe and worship as they choose without fear. That freedom was made possible by the form of government our founding fathers established and by the sacrifices of those who brought that government to life and kept it from being destroyed.
There are few days that should summon such a depth of gratitude as the day we remember those who have honorably served the cause of their nation. And we recognize that for many of them, it was seen and carried out as a Christian duty. George Washington said, “While we are zealously performing the duties of good citizens and soldiers, we certainly ought not to be inattentive to the higher duties of religion. To the distinguished character of Patriot, it should be our highest glory to add the more distinguished character of Christian.”
There are times in the history of a nation when freedom must be defended. Those moments call for great sacrifice, and it is only right that we remember those who have served. There are several lists of noted soldiers in Scripture—for military service is an honorable calling. If our society loses its appreciation for this truth, it is not likely that our freedom will long endure.
1 Chronicles 11:12–14
No people have ever been free unless a price has been paid for that freedom. This has been true throughout recorded human history. In America, we have enjoyed a level of liberty that is almost unprecedented for people to believe and worship as they choose without fear. That freedom was made possible by the form of government our founding fathers established and by the sacrifices of those who brought that government to life and kept it from being destroyed.
There are few days that should summon such a depth of gratitude as the day we remember those who have honorably served the cause of their nation. And we recognize that for many of them, it was seen and carried out as a Christian duty. George Washington said, “While we are zealously performing the duties of good citizens and soldiers, we certainly ought not to be inattentive to the higher duties of religion. To the distinguished character of Patriot, it should be our highest glory to add the more distinguished character of Christian.”
There are times in the history of a nation when freedom must be defended. Those moments call for great sacrifice, and it is only right that we remember those who have served. There are several lists of noted soldiers in Scripture—for military service is an honorable calling. If our society loses its appreciation for this truth, it is not likely that our freedom will long endure.
Today’s Growth Principle:
Those who have served our country are worthy of our gratitude and appreciation.
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