Veteran’s Day Message
Today, our nation commemorates Veteran’s Day. Most would consider this a patriotic holiday that our nation has celebrated since 1954 when Congress passed the bill that President Eisenhower signed, which proclaimed November 11th, as Veteran’s Day.
The word “patriotic” comes from the Greek word patēr, which means father, it was the basis for the word patris, or native land, and so patriotic came to mean "a love of country."
I don’t think it is a coincidence that this generation chants “Down with Patriarchy” and hates our nation. There is a direct connection.
Now, it is not necessarily an evil for Christians to love their country, unless, of course, they place the love of country above the love for God. Neither am I of the mindset that we should love our country and defend her right or wrong. No, we should attempt to love and defend her when she is right and seek to correct her when she is wrong. Why is that?
“Righteousness exalts a nation, but sin is a reproach to any people” There is a powerful blessing that comes to a people who pursue the virtue of righteousness. Isaiah 32:17 states, “The work of righteousness will be peace, and the effect of righteousness, quietness and assurance forever.”
Is this not what our nation needs now? Mental illness, suicide, family breakdown, corrupt government, inflation, and a culture of death seems to be drowning our nation in a sea of blood and perversion.
Is there not a balm in Gilead? Should we not humble ourselves before the offended party of heaven? Should we not confess, repent, and turn from our wicked ways that we might be healed?
In honor of Veteran's Day, however, I'd like to quote from General McArthur’s famous “Duty, Honor, Country” speech he gave to West Point Cadets, on May 12, 1962. Here is where he highlighted the “no greater love” ethic of laying down’s one life for a cause greater than one’s life. And make no mistake about it, that is the challenge and beauty of becoming a Christian and walking with God.
He stated:
“The soldier, above all other men, is required to practice the greatest act of religious training – sacrifice. In battle and in the face of danger and death, he discloses those divine attributes which his Maker gave when he created man in his own image.
No physical courage and no brute instinct can take the place of the Divine help which alone can sustain him. However horrible the incidents of war may be, the soldier who is called upon to offer and to give his life for his country, is the noblest development of, mankind.”
Our Lord declared, “This is My commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you. Greater love has no one than this, than to lay down one’s life for his friends” (John 15:12, 13).
This is what Christ did for us and as His people we are to follow his example as good soldiers of Jesus Christ.
Lastly, many Americans gave their last ounce of devotion to protect freedom and preserve them for us, their posterity. God forbid that we should continue to squander, abuse, and lose them under our watch. They need to be preserved for our children and grandchildren.
Church, this is partially why we need to keep fighting the good fight of faith in Jesus' name!
