Three Reflections for Christians on Veterans Day

Veterans Day was first celebrated on November 11, 1919, to commemorate the tip of the First World Warfare on that date a 12 months earlier. For years, the vacation was referred to as Armistice Day, then renamed “Veterans Day” in 1954 to rejoice veterans from the Second World Warfare and the Korean Warfare. In the present day, the annual vacation honors America’s veterans “for his or her patriotism, love of nation, and willingness to serve and sacrifice for the frequent good,” according to the Division of Veterans Affairs.

For many People, Veterans Day is among the “lesser” holidays that primarily means a time off work and a protracted weekend. In comparison with Independence Day and Thanksgiving, this civic remembrance can appear as misplaced within the shuffle. Of the 2 “army” holidays in our nation’s calendar, Memorial Day tends to stir the guts extra, because it acknowledges those that sacrificed their lives for the protection of our nation. As an Military veteran, I see a couple of explanation why we should always raise our veterans in prayer as we rejoice Veterans Day this 12 months.

First, Veterans Day celebrates the tip of struggle. It’s a supply of nice pleasure and reduction when a significant armed battle involves an finish, as World Warfare I did on November 11, 1918 (the eleventh hour of the eleventh day of the eleventh month). When a nation’s wars are efficiently concluded, it’s becoming for the folks to precise due to the veterans who made the extraordinary sacrifice of army service. 

As U.S. residents, we are able to use our Veterans Day prayers as a possibility to thank God that our land has not skilled the damaging results of battle on our personal soil for nearly 160 years, a report few nations have loved. Furthermore, whereas not all of our latest conflicts have had profitable conclusions, it’s true that the US continues to be well-defended and free from imminent hazard of conquest. For this blessing, we would render to the Lord the thanks expressed in Psalm 145:8-9: “The Lord is gracious and merciful, sluggish to anger and abounding steadfast love.”

Second, Veterans Day is a time to honor and thank those that presently sacrifice to guard our nation from the perils of an evil world. To be a soldier, airman, or sailor is to sacrifice large private freedom in order that others might stay comfortable. Significantly throughout instances of armed battle, their households endure pressure and separation nearly completely international to civilians.

As soon as throughout the Iraq Warfare I used to be invited to talk on the Military’s Fort Bragg. Over the weekend, I shared a meal with a household wherein the husband and father had spent giant parts of the earlier three years deployed to the struggle zone, lacking priceless months of his babies’s lives and calling for his spouse to bear extraordinary burdens. I felt ashamed that so few People, even Christians, help such veterans and their households and categorical so little due to them for the trials they endure for our security.  

Veterans Days serves as an impetus to recollect our army group and resolve that we who profit from their sacrifices won’t overlook them in our prayers. We will stay out this dedication in sensible methods, like getting ready a meal for a army household in our church or group, or sending a be aware of thanks, with assurances that they are going to obtain our particular prayers.

Third, Veterans Day is a time to wish for the advance of the gospel of Jesus Christ and for his quickly return to this world in glory. Our world immediately may be very removed from peace, simply as our Lord foretold would happen all through this current age: “you’ll hear of wars and rumors of struggle” (Matthew 24:6). The division and hatred inside our personal nation threatens violence within the streets, simply as hatred on this planet immediately brings bloodshed, armed battle, and numerous tears.  

As Christians, we all know that Jesus Christ is the one hope of a real and lasting peace amongst mankind (Ephesians 2:14). God despatched his Son and promised, “Of the rise of his authorities and of peace there will likely be no finish” (Isaiah 9:7). But, Jesus stays unknown and untrusted all through the world. As Christians, we all know that the true goals expressed by way of Veterans Day, an finish to struggle and reward to victorious defenders, can solely be achieved the place Jesus reigns by way of religion and reward.  

When the primary Veterans Day was commemorated in 1919, the Western nations vainly heralded an finish to struggle, simply because the victors of the Second World Warfare wrongly anticipated a long-lasting peace. The fact since these days of victory has been far totally different: our world immediately is, if something, extra harmful, divided, and violent than ever.  

We reward God for the relative peace our nation has loved, largely as a result of extraordinary sacrifices of veterans previous and current. Thank the Lord for our veterans!  However the goal of all true army service – specifically, a long-lasting and safe peace – can’t be secured with out Christ reigning with grace and love. Solely Jesus has the facility to show swords into plowshares in a world with out hatred and woe.  

Whereas thanking God for our nation’s veterans and reaching out to our present veterans with thanks and help, allow us to pray that Jesus could also be identified within the energy of God’s grace. And allow us to pray that Jesus quickly will return to this earth, consummating his nice victory over sin and granting peace on earth ultimately.  

Whereas we wait, we pray. This Veterans Day, allow us to pray for God’s particular blessing on all of the women and men within the Armed Forces, by way of whose sacrificial labors shield us and protect our liberties.

Richard D. Phillips is senior minister of Second Presbyterian Church in Greenville, SC.  A 3rd-generation soldier, he served for 13 years in the US Military.