-November 11, 2021-
Good morning, happy Thursday,
“I have fought the good fight…”
(2 Timothy 4:7a).
Near the end of his life, Paul made this statement in the past tense. He was a soldier of Christ who fought until the end. He told Timothy, “Fight the good fight of faith, lay hold of eternal life, to which you were also called and have confessed the good confession in the presence of many witnesses.” As soldiers of Christ, we, like Paul, keep fighting until the end of our lives. Every service member of the armed forces knows three things: who he is fighting for, what he is fighting for, and the sacrifices he must make to accomplish the mission. Soldiers take an oath to support and defend our country from all threats foreign and domestic.
Today is a day we pause as Americans to acknowledge, applaud, and appreciate our vets. There are still some alive who served in WWII, more who served in the Korean War, still more who served in the Vietnam War, and many who served in the Wars in Afghanistan and Iraq. They served willingly, faithfully, and loyally; some for a short time, and others for many years. We are indebted to them. Whenever I see a service member in uniform, I thank them for their service to our country; and if I see someone with a Veteran’s cap on, I thank them.
Last Sunday at church, we had all our vets stand up. We acknowledged them and applauded them to show our appreciation. We do it every year on the Sunday before Veterans Day. Once a veteran, always a veteran, no matter how long ago they served. They fought the good fight. Some have wounds from battle, some do not. My late father served in WWII, my two great uncles in WWI and WWII respectively. One of my closest friends, an elder in our church, served in Vietnam.
Let us take the time today to remember our vets and thank God for them. There have already been parades and there will more today as well. They will dress in their former uniforms and march to remember their service and the service of others.
May we as soldiers of Christ fight the good fight of faith, putting on the whole armor of God. The Lord Jesus Christ is our Commander and He leads us into the battle. He is victorious and we are on His side. We share in His victory. We know who we are fighting for, why we are fighting, and the sacrifices we must make as soldiers of Christ.
Have a blessed day Veterans Day. Stay safe and healthy.
In His grace,
Dean
Dean Allen's Daily Devotional 