As I pondered the history behind Veteran's Day via the reproducible article included at the end of today’s devotion, I decided to look up the definition of "veteran". Webster's 1828 defines a veteran as one who has been long experienced in any service or art, particularly in war; one who has grown old in service and has had much experience. Ladies, after thinking on this definition, it occurred to me that in the service of the Lord veterans are getting harder and harder to find! As more and more believers are falling out of the Christian race, there is very few left who will have grown old in service to the Lord. Even at the age of almost 45, I am finding that my fellow comrades have already bailed out and headed back for the world as Demas did when he forsook Paul, a veteran long experienced in spiritual warfare and his service to God…
2 Timothy 4:1-8 (KJV)
I charge thee therefore before God, and the Lord Jesus Christ, who shall
judge the quick and the dead at his appearing and his kingdom; [2] Preach
the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort
with all longsuffering and doctrine. [3] For the time will come when they
will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap
to themselves teachers, having itching ears; [4] And they shall turn away
their ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables. [5] But watch
thou in all things, endure afflictions, do the work of an evangelist,
make full proof of thy ministry. [6] For I am now ready to be offered,
and the time of my departure is at hand. [7] I have fought a good fight,
I have finished my course, I have kept the faith: [8] Henceforth there
is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous
judge, shall give me at that day: and not to me only, but unto all them
also that love his appearing.
In a time when many were apostate, we see in Paul's life the path of a good soldier. His Christian life was a life of completion. He did not bail out on God when the battle raged against him, but fought to the finish. Only a true veteran can adequately counsel others in matters of endurance. Endurance is not just the ability to bear a hard thing, but turn it into glory - God's glory! Paul was experienced in glorifying God through hardship, and in the text above, passed the torch of commitment down to Timothy. Veterans are valuable, ladies!! They have much wisdom to offer us. The church today is in desperate need of similarly heroic spirits… If you are privileged enough to have a veteran Christian in your life, honor them as those who have grown old in God's service must be honored. Faithful servants to the Lord are to be respected and highly regarded. Sadly, in many Bible believing churches across this country we have turned our backs on our doctrinally sound, Christian veterans. Why do I say that? Because the hymnal is full of precious testimonies from veteran soldiers who have had a great deal of experience with God, yet we are rapidly trading them in for the shallow praise and worship songs that speak nothing of endurance or history of service! The singing of hymns is almost an abandoned public ceremony… God's people are marching to the beat of a different drummer now, and the devil is leading believers right off the cliff of commitment, and away from any depth of character. These repetitive phrases put to music are nothing more than tunes that take the “armed” out of the “forces”! And so, without any real roots, God’s children are more apt to be persuaded to desert the cause of Christ than to stick with the fight.
Who is on the Lord's Side? – Have I Done My Best For Jesus? – Am I A Soldier Of The Cross? – Stand Up For Jesus – Rise Up, O Men Of God! – Fight The Good Fight – Nothing But The Blood – The Fight Is On – Hold The Fort – Dare To Be A Daniel – Onward Christian Soldier – A Flag To Follow – Victory In Jesus – Wounded For Me – Faith Of Our Fathers – My Faith Has Found A Resting Place...
These are just a few compelling songs in our beloved hymnal and priceless companion to the Bible. When is the last time you remember singing any of these veteran tunes? Today I'd like to challenge each of you to read the words penned by our fellow Christian patriots who served in the Lord’s army and glean once more from their life long experiences with God. These steadfast saints grew old defending the cause of Christ with earnest affection and conviction - will you?? Give them the recognition they are due – acknowledge and honor their part in Christian combat, lest they be reduced to nothing more than “unsung heroes” of the faith!
Until the recent turn of events in our country, I thought patriotism had become dormant in America. Now it is alive again, but it often takes tragedy to resurrect human loyalty. Does it have to take catastrophe to revive your faithfulness to the cause of Christ? Someday the battle will be over, ladies. Though I have not had the privilege of meeting very many of you face to face, will you have any battle scars to show in Heaven when we meet?? Are you determined to defend sound doctrine in these last days? How many crowns and trophies will you cast at Jesus feet? Will you carry the reputation of Christian veteran or Christian vagabond?? Lay not thine armor down... God has called us to His colors and for Him we must live and die. Do His least command!
God Bless,
Pam
Isaiah 60:1&2
Copyright 2001 Pamela A. Iannello
Revised 2004
In 1921, an unknown World War I American soldier was buried in Arlington
National Cemetery. This site, on a hillside overlooking the Potomac River
and the city of Washington, became the focal point of reverence for America's
veterans.
Similar ceremonies occurred earlier in England and France, where an unknown soldier was buried in each nation's highest place of honor (in England, Westminster Abbey; in France, the Arc de Triomphe). These memorial gestures all took place on November 11, giving universal recognition to the celebrated ending of World War I fighting at 11 a.m., November 11, 1918 (the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month). The day became known as "Armistice Day".
Armistice Day officially received its name in America in 1926 through a
Congressional resolution. It became a national holiday 12 years later by similar Congressional action. If the idealistic hope had been realized that World War I was "the War to end all Wars," November 11 might still be called Armistice Day. But only a few years after the holiday was proclaimed, war broke out in Europe. Sixteen and one-half million Americans took part. Four hundred seven thousand of them died in service, more than 292,000 in battle.
Armistice Day Changed To Honor All Veterans
Realizing that peace was equally preserved by veterans of WW II and Korea, Congress was requested to make this day an occasion to honor those who have served America in all wars. In 1954 President Eisenhower signed a bill proclaiming November 11 as Veterans Day.
On Memorial Day 1958, two more unidentified American war dead were brought from overseas and interred in the plaza beside the unknown soldier of World War I. One was killed in World War II, the other in the Korean War. In 1973, a law passed providing interment of an unknown American from the Vietnam War, but none was found for several years. In 1984, an unknown serviceman from that conflict was placed alongside the others. To honor these men, symbolic of all Americans who gave their lives in all wars, an Army honor guard, The 3rd U.S. Infantry (The Old Guard), keeps day and night vigil.
A law passed in 1968 changed the national commemoration of Veterans Day to the fourth Monday in October. It soon became apparent, however, that November 11 was a date of historic significance to many Americans. Therefore, in 1978 Congress returned the observance to its traditional date.
National Ceremonies Held at Arlington
The focal point for official, national ceremonies for Veterans Day continues to be the memorial amphitheater built around the Tomb of the Unknowns. At 11 a.m. on November 11, a combined color guard representing all military services executes "Present Arms" at the tomb. The nation's tribute to its war dead is symbolized by the laying of a presidential wreath. The bugler plays "taps." The rest of the ceremony takes place in the amphitheater.
Every year the President of the United States urges All Americans to honor the commitment of our Veterans through appropriate public ceremonies.
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