Where Honor is Due
Psalms 91:1-16 NKJV
[1] He who dwells in the secret place of the Most High Shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty. [2] I will say of the Lord, “He is my refuge and my fortress; My God, in Him I will trust.” [3] Surely He shall deliver you from the snare of the fowler And from the perilous pestilence. [4] He shall cover you with His feathers, And under His wings you shall take refuge; His truth shall be your shield and buckler. [5] You shall not be afraid of the terror by night, Nor of the arrow that flies by day, [6] Nor of the pestilence that walks in darkness, Nor of the destruction that lays waste at noonday. [7] A thousand may fall at your side, And ten thousand at your right hand; But it shall not come near you. [8] Only with your eyes shall you look, And see the reward of the wicked. [9] Because you have made the Lord, who is my refuge, Even the Most High, your dwelling place, [10] No evil shall befall you, Nor shall any plague come near your dwelling; [11] For He shall give His angels charge over you, To keep you in all your ways. [12] In their hands they shall bear you up, Lest you dash your foot against a stone. [13] You shall tread upon the lion and the cobra, The young lion and the serpent you shall trample underfoot. [14] “Because he has set his love upon Me, therefore I will deliver him; I will set him on high, because he has known My name. [15] He shall call upon Me, and I will answer him; I will be with him in trouble; I will deliver him and honor him. [16] With long life I will satisfy him, And show him My salvation.”
This Psalm has been known as the “Soldiers Psalm”.
It is said that there was a commander of the US Army during WWII that gave each of his soldiers a copy of this prayer printed on a card – a reminder of the evil that lurks, and a reminder of the hope and the strength that is found in the Lord.
Men and women have gone into the darkest corners of the world to protect and serve.
They have put their very lives on hold to protect the freedoms of the country.
Either by land, sea or air these few have put their own well being aside!
How great the commitment! How great the Sacrifice!
Today is Veterans Day here in the United States of America.
It is only one day out of the whole year we honor the men and women who served this country selflessly, helping ensure the freedom and liberties that we lay people have so loved, and honoring all those that have served in the military!
Many in our society today see the men and women that serve our country differently than generations past, not realizing the commitment and not understanding the desire. And, are not even willing to give thanks for the protection of the liberties they have helped to sustain.
Military members are trained to go into harm’s way.
They are physically fit.
They are mentally prepared.
They are trained to endure things that the majority of us will never have to endure or experience in life.
Their eyes see what no man or woman should ever have to witness.
“You shall not be afraid of the terror by night, Nor of the arrow that flies by day, [6] Nor of the pestilence that walks in darkness, Nor of the destruction that lays waste at noonday.”
Veterans have volunteered to go and protect the ones they love without many of those loved ones knowing what is being sacrificed on their behalf, such as signing up in time of peace or time of war to be ready to protect and serve at any given time.
We don’t realize something. Many people do not understand what it truly means to be a servant.
We speak about being servants of the Lord and His Kingdom, but do we know what this means?
To be a servant means to give up your rights – all of them. It means to give up your hopes and dreams, and to put others before yourself for the greater good! It means leaving behind an old life and enlisting in another. It means going into dark places that you never wanted to be in. It means putting your trust in someone other than yourself.
It is learning how to take orders and fulfill the commands.
Those that risk it all do it so you don’t have to.
As orders are given they march out.
We have been set free from these orders.
We have been set free to have to deal with any of that. They go and have gone and will go again in your place!
These are trained and skilled soldiers, aviators and marines!
“You shall not be afraid of the terror by night, Nor of the arrow that flies by day”!
They don’t know the assignment, where they will be stationed, or what their duties will be.
They know not of the pending dangers, the cold lonely nights, the hot blistering days, the lack of sleep, food and well being. There will always be doubt, fear and worry, but they carry out their assignments! They will fulfill the orders and commands given them.
Thank a veteran!
Not just for going in your place to preserve freedom in this country, but thank them for giving of themselves – some of whom have given the ultimate sacrifice.
There is a price for liberties.
Many that have gone into battle return changed. They may not see it themselves or realize it because they are trained to endure and continue, no matter the cost. Soldiers may have been in combat or on missions that expose them to horrible situations, with many being life-threatening. It affects their well-being.
Pray for these men and women.
“He shall call upon Me, and I will answer him; I will be with him in trouble; I will deliver him and honor him.”
Honor these men and women.
Look into their eyes. See the pain. See the hurt and suffering. See the regret of things that had to be done. See the joy of things accomplished.
See how they still stand to tell their story.
See the silence.
Behind all of that see their servanthood!
I have seen people come up to my father as he proudly wears his Vietnam Veteran hat. They thank him for his service. He humbly smiles, nods and says “You’re welcome”.
Many of us, who have never been in their situations, will never know what it takes for a veteran to accept a thank you.
Why?
Because it is their service.
It is their duty.
It is their honor to serve you!
The things we could learn from them.
“ I will deliver him and honor him. [16] With long life I will satisfy him, And show him My salvation.”
Honor our Veterans every day!
Pastor Ed
