Good
Morning All,
John
15:13; “Greater love has no one than this, that someone lay down his life for
his friends.”
The definition has a melodic ring to it; “at the eleventh hour of the
eleventh day of the eleventh month.” The
year was 1918 and after years of the most destructive war ever to be waged in
Europe; both sides were worn and tired and, to a certain extent beaten
down. So the war was declared over. The armistice was signed between the allied
forces and Germany. The “war to end all
wars” came to a whimpering end. Entire
countries were destroyed, empires ceased to exist and the world was forever
changed. Most will tell you that the
rise of communism was hastened by the disastrous effects upon Russia. Many will tell you that much of the problems
in the Middle East arise from something called the Sykes-Picot agreement.
Unfortunately, the war to end wars has simply become the yardstick that
current wars are measured by. The level
of destruction, both in terms of human suffering and physical destruction
exceeded anything before but not anything afterwards. Many of our struggles today seem to grow out
of this war. Much of what we see as the “rules
of war” came about because of World War 1; sadly, the rule to end wars has not
been obeyed.
Take time today to thank a veteran, a veteran’s survivor, or an active
armed forces member. These men and women
have taken an oath to defend this country, with their lives if necessary. This is never an oath to be taken lightly nor
should we ever forget the tremendous cost that this oath may expend. Fathers, mothers, husbands, wives, children
do not return home alive. Their life
forever cut short because talking and civilization fails. Thank these men and women often
We should also give thanks to God that there are people who will die for
you if necessary. While today’s focus is
on the military, don’t forget the police and firemen along with the other first
responders. Be sure to keep them in your
prayers as well. Pray that God will keep
them safe, faithful in duty and life, diligent and that they will always come
home safely. Also keep their families in
your prayers as well. Pray that God will
keep them in his loving arms and that they may live with the comfort of God’s
hope and with the Spirit of consolation to guide them.
Above all, pray for peace; that the willingness of these men and women
to die will go unneeded. Pray that God
will end all tyranny and injustice and while we pray for it; let us try and
practice it in our own life as well.
God
of mercy, we give you thanks for all those who are willing to lay down their
life for us. Keep them safe from all
danger. End all injustice; rebuke every
tyranny that your peace may prevail. We
ask that you especially be with those who are harm’s way at this time. Be with the families who wait for the return
of their loved ones. We ask that they
may return safely. All this we ask in
the name of the One who laid down his life and took it back up for us, Jesus
our risen Lord, amen.
God’s Peace,
Pastor Bret
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