|
Written by Administrator
|
|
Saturday, 19 June 2010 |
|
Proper Steps in the Lord's Army!
by Rev. George Burkinshaw
Memorial Day is a day for God and Country; a sacred day of remembrance for fallen soldiers who have offered the last full measure of devotion to the God and the country we love. Yes, there are those forgetful of our national heritage of God and country and some who desire for us to be in denial of the God from whom all our blessings come! "Blessed is the nation whose God is the Lord; and the people whom he hath chosen for his own inheritance." Psalms 33:12
The soldier of today, who would best serve his country, must first know the God of the country, he serves. How well many Americans still hold this timeless truth to be self-evident; that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable rights, that among these are life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness. In the Lord's army the virtue of godliness is the underlining character trait necessary to serve and protect those who are oppressed, so as not to become the oppressor. The Word of our God gives us five basic qualities of a good soldier in the Lord's army making the Lord's army the best soldiers to be found in any nation's army! "This is my commandment, That ye love one another, as I have loved you. Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends." John 15:12
A good soldier in the Lord's army, is a follower of the Captain of his soul. To be a good soldier in the Lord's army one must have the moral character to receive and obey orders; God commands all men everywhere to repent! When a Christian submits his soul to the Lord and repents of his sins, his self-will, and his self-righteousness are forsaken, so he may willingly obey every legal and lawful order that he receives. A good soldier in the Lord's army is a faithful soldier.
An exemplary soldier of Jesus Christ can endure hardships and overcome adversity that other soldiers cannot, as a Christian he can do all things through Christ which strengthens him. A soldier who is crucified with Christ dies to himself and there is nothing he cannot endure! "Thou therefore endure hardness, as a good soldier of Jesus Christ." 2Timothy 2:3.
A good soldier in the Lord's army obeys his Commander. As the Christian obeys the voice of his God, who is always righteous, so a good soldier in the Lord's army always serves his country. May our country always be right in her affairs with foreign nations and if she be wrong, may we protect her with all our might, till she may right all her wrongs. America, America God mend thy every flaw! "Righteousness exalteth a nation: but sin is a reproach to any people." Proverbs 14:34
A good soldier in the Lord's army is a Solider of virtue! The consummate solider cultivates the moral law of God in his soul and strictly adheres to method and discipline; thus it is in the Lord's grace to give him success. "But thanks be to God, which giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ." 1Corinthians 15:57
A good soldier in the Lord's army is a finisher. It is a terrifying thing to face the angel of death on the battlefield, such that some soldiers without the Lord's Spirit to strengthen them will lose courage and not finish the battle. The soldier arrayed in the armour of the Lord is best equipped to finish the battle and defeat every foe! "Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand." Ephesians 6:13
Memorial Day is a most appropriate time to remember God and Country; Throughout the world's history, oppression has been the theme of most governments without our God! The Word of our God reminds us that it is God alone who sets us free! "If the Son therefore shall make you free, ye shall be free indeed." John 8:36.
Memorial Day is a most fitting day to remember that every soldier is a living soul, and the loss of a soul is far greater than the loss of a life! On Memorial Day a godly nation will remember the soul of a soldier, as all of us in our earthly trials are in need of the Comforter. "And I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another Comforter, that he may abide with you forever;" John 14:16.
No solider should die alone on a battlefield, where the love of a mother, father or country cannot comfort the solider in the terrors and agony of the death angel's terrible swift sword! Memorial Day is most certainly a day of remembrance for those who have fallen and now belong to the ages. What more can we, the living do, than to remember those who have given the last full measure of devotion to our liberty in Christ! Perhaps it is most honoring, fitting and proper that when darkness would deny the light of life to the children of our fallen heroes, that we who remain might honor our father's heritage. We were once a nation of pilgrims, trusting in the divine providence of the great God our King, Jesus Christ the righteous! "Remember the days of old, consider the years of many generations: ask thy father, and he will shew thee; thy elders, and they will tell thee." Deuteronomy 32:7
Alvin C. York was the most decorated American soldier in World War I. He was awarded the Medal of Honor for leading an attack on a German machine gun nest, taking 32 machine guns, killing 28 German soldiers and capturing 132 others. Of his deeds, York said to his division commander, General George B. Duncan, "A higher power than man's power guided and watched over me and told me what to do." The angel of the LORD encampeth round about them that fear him, and delivereth them." Psalm 34:7
Our national history reveals that most American soldiers joined the Lord's army before they served in our National armed forces. The remainder would be wise to do likewise before venturing into harm's way. On Memorial Day it is appropriate that we remember a soldier in the Lord's army never wishes to kill or harm anyone! However, when they are called upon to do their duty, they will do it, and do it well, because the Captain of their soul does all things well. Alvin C. York stated the conscience of every Christian in the Lord's army when he said, "I was worried clean through. I didn't want to go and kill. I believed in my Bible!" It is written that the steps of a good man are ordered by the LORD. Should not the children of their fathers walk in the steps of their fathers to show due respect and benevolence to them? Should we not own their cause and march in tune to their songs? "Our father's God to, Thee, Author of liberty, To Thee we sing. Long may our land be bright With freedom's holy light; Protect us by Thy might, Great God, our King!" Should we not walk in their paths?
It is not those who remember the fallen and their cause, who are out of step on Memorial Day, but those that forget the cause of our freedom, that are out of step! "Thus saith the LORD, Stand ye in the ways, and see, and ask for the old paths, where is the good way, and walk therein, and ye shall find rest for your souls. But they said, We will not walk therein." Jeremiah 6:16.
|
|
Last Updated ( Saturday, 19 June 2010 )
|
|
