Scripture: John 17: 15 My prayer is not that you take them out of the world but that you protect them from the evil one.
Today, we take a moment and honor our servicemen and women who are serving today, or have served in the past. They are the ones who go forth and face the dangers that inhabit our world, both foreign and domestic. Many who served continue to be affected by their service in negative ways. Yet, they continue onward and we need to emulate their spirit of tenacity. In our text today, we may wish Jesus would have prayed differently. His prayer was not that His followers would be taken out of the world, and spared the difficulties caused by evil, but instead that they would stay in it. They would be affected by it, but protected from it. Many who followed Jesus paid the ultimate price for doing so and still do today. When He said, take up your cross (Matthew 16:24), He was speaking about martyrdom. One may ask, what kind of protection is that? Jesus taught, fear not those who can kill the body, but fear the One who can destroy both the body and the spirit (Matthew 10:28). We've all seen those who have been wounded by war, sometimes severely, but in their eyes we see their spirit shine forth. Their zeal for life is strong. They are examples of what Jesus is describing. Evil may affect our life, but not our spirit, not our salvation with God (2 Timothy 1:12). Paul kept his priorities straight when it came to his experiences in life and his life with God (Romans 8:18). The former did not compare to the later. Today is a day when we too need to think about our service to God. Where does it rank in our life, in our list of priorities? But also know, your service to God is not in vain (1 Corinthians 15:58), it furthers God's saving plan for all the world.
Pray with me.., Lord we are thankful for those who serve this country in our armed forces. We ask Your protection over them, grant them healing and strength to face each day. Lord, we are thankful for our church, we ask Your blessing over it. We ask Your blessing over our loved ones. Bless them, we pray, in accordance with their needs. In Jesus' name, Amen.
God's peace,
Pastor Brian
