Veteran's Day

I was just thinking...

War is a hideous and treacherous matter. Many have been killed and maimed as a result of military ambitions, uprisings and confrontations. The Military and Civilian population have both faced the consequence of nations and movements in conflict with each other.

In Matthew 24:6-7, Jesus indicated this will be our expectation and reality -

And you will hear of wars and rumors of wars.
See that you are not alarmed, for this must take place,
but the end is not yet.
For nation will rise against nation,
and kingdom against kingdom,
and there will be famines and earthquakes in various places.

For those of us born after 1940, the USA has been engaged in 7 different conflicts ranging from World War II to the present War In Iraq. The approximate Military Death Toll covering those 67 years is 530,000 deaths, plus wounded and maimed. As dreadful as this statistic is, in perspective, the military fatalities of the four year Civil War total more than 623,000. In terms of all war we can easily conclude - what a tragedy, waste of human resource, and object lesson of ambitions gone awry.

Over the years, we have heard many patriotic songs written and sung during wartime, and about our nation. A more recent one that resonates with many is written by Lee Greenwood and contains these words:

And I'm proud to be an American where at least I know I'm free.
And I won't forget the men who died, who gave the right to me...
...there ain't no doubt I love this land - God Bless the U.S.A.

As we remember and memorialize those who have sacrificed their lives in defense of liberty and freedom, may we be found among those who acknowledge the Lord in all areas of our lives. Let us Thank Him for His Care and Provision and Blessing upon us!
We should always remember the Biblical standard for a nation that has received the favor and blessing of God upon it. We are reminded in Proverbs 14:34 -

Righteousness exalts a nation,
but sin is a reproach (disgrace) to any people

I hope I can and will live more responsibly both as a child of God, and a citizen of this nation. Each of us must be salt and light, and do as much good as we can for as long as we can.