“You then, my child, be strengthened by the grace that is in Christ Jesus, and what you have heard from me in the presence of many witnesses entrust to faithful men who will be able to teach others also. Share in suffering as a good soldier of Christ Jesus. No soldier gets entangled in civilian pursuits, since his aim is to please the one who enlisted him. An athlete is not crowned unless he competes according to the rules. It is the hard-working farmer who ought to have the first share of the crops. Think over what I say, for the Lord will give you understanding in everything. (2 Timothy 2:1-7)
In the United States, Veteran’s Day is celebrated on November 11th; many other countries have similar days devoted to the honoring of their soldiers. In this devotion for Veterans Day let’s look at 2 Timothy 2:1-7 to discover the proper attitude for a soldier.
As far back in history we go, when cities and countries were formed, each found it necessary to protect themselves by developing an army of soldiers. The Bible records information about Kings and soldiers in the book of Genesis. The Bible also tells us in 2 Timothy that every Christian is a soldier of Jesus Christ.
God uses the illustration of the soldier to help us how to understand our responsibilities as soldiers in the army of God.
We know that soldiers have suffered and died throughout history to protect their own country. Many times God also calls the Christian soldier to suffer, and sometimes die for his faith. This should not come as a surprise to us. If you take the time to read the book of Psalms, you know that many of the Psalms of David are filled with laments over David’s suffering, especially when the enemies of God were devoted to killing him even when he had done nothing wrong.
When God calls us to suffer, we must cry out to God for help, for He alone can help us. You’ll find that the more you are consistently reading God’s Word and praying to Him, this becomes almost second nature. You will find yourself talking to the Lord throughout the day. I think that is exactly what Paul is referring to when he tells us to pray without ceasing.
What would happen in the midst of battle if each soldier decided to fight the battle the way he thought best. Chaos would soon set in. You would hope to fight against an army such as that because you would be guaranteed to win! The scripture tells us that the soldier seeks to please the one who enlisted him.
My father served as a pilot and a officer in World War II; during that time his first son was born, and his only brother died in a car accident. Don’t you think that would make him want to go home and forget about being a soldier? But, he did not go home because the battle was not over. I am so very proud of my father and the men and women like him who knew that their first allegiance as a soldier was to their country.
As a soldier of Christ, finish the battle! Don’t give up midstream’ don’t go back to the sins of your youth. Rather just as the athlete is not crowned until he competes according to the rules and finishes the race.
I pray that you will be a faithful soldier of Jesus Christ so that you too, will receive the Crown of Life at the end of your battle!
This Veterans Day, We salute the Veterens! God Bless you.
Prayer:
Heavenly Father, I thank you for all of the people that have risked thier lives and the ones that paid the ultimate price so that we can be live freely in this nation. I also thank You Lord for the ultimate sacrifice that not only many of our veterans made for me, but You made for me…. Please bring healing to our nation Lord God. Also be with our leaders and help reunite and heal our precious country. In Your glorious name, Amen.
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Rob Lavallee
Scriptural Seeds Ministries
http://www.scripturalseeds.org
Scriptural Seeds 