3 Join with me in suffering, like a good soldier of Christ Jesus. 4 No one serving as a soldier gets entangled in civilian affairs, but rather tries to please his commanding officer. ~ 2 Timothy 2:3-4
On the day known as D-Day, June 6, 1944, allied forces stormed the beaches of Normandy, France. It is estimated that 10,000 total allied casualties occurred that day, including 2,000 U.S. soldiers, 2,000 British soldiers, and 914 Canadian soldiers killed, wounded, or went missing, and another estimate of between four thousand and nine thousand German casualties on that day.
Apparently, there were so many dead bodies in the water and on the beaches from the first two waves that the third wave had to wait before they could be given orders to land and join the invasion.
These men, just young boys on both sides, were given orders to rush into the face of certain death, to try to kill each other. It was kill or be killed. They had no animosity toward each other. There was no hate between the fighting men, but their respective countries had drafted them and ordered them to go and fight. Kill or be killed.
These are the men who died defending the freedoms we still enjoy today. But how quickly we have forgotten the price that was paid and is still being paid. Places like Columbus, Ohio, are canceling their Veterans Day Parade this year, 2023, due to a major decrease in corporate financial support and a lack of attendance at the events.
It seems like people are just not interested in honoring our veterans. The ones who gave up so much for our freedom. While other parades are flourishing, vile as they might be, they are growing in popularity.
We are called to be soldiers in an unseen spiritual war, with hundreds of thousands of casualties daily all over the world. It is estimated that there are over 360 million Christians facing persecution and discrimination for their faith on a daily basis.
Places like North Korea produce videos to train state security agents on how to identify and silence those who promote religion in their country.
Christians like Mary in Nigeria, who was brutally murdered when Fulani Islamic militants attacked her village. Her husband was in town donating blood when the attack came. Their 6-year-old daughter was struck in the head, knocking her unconscious. Their 2-year-old daughter was shot in the stomach as the bullet passed through her little body and lodged in her mother’s chest, killing her instantly. The two little girls lay near their dead mother’s body through the afternoon until evening, when someone found them and rescued them.
This is only one of the millions of stories of the persecution of our brothers and sisters in Christ. Stories that the Western Church either does not hear or, sadly, does not take notice of. So, this Veterans Day, let us, with appreciative hearts, honor those who serve us by serving our country militarily. But also, let us remember the Christian soldiers who are serving in the unseen spiritual war. Some are even dying for their faith.
Heavenly Father, please remember the soldiers who are today in harm’s way. Let your hand of protection shield them. Please watch over them and encourage them and their families, their loved ones. LORD, I pray for the salvation of every soldier who does not know You as LORD and Savior. Save them, LORD. Reveal Yourself to them.
I also pray for the persecuted Christian soldiers. May Your Great Name be ever upon their lips as their faith continues to be strong. Give them boldness, and let their hearts not be troubled, even in the face of imminent danger. I speak Shalom peace over their lives. I ask You to please provide for their needs, according to Your riches in glory, for I ask it in Jesus’ precious Name, amen.
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