Honoring Veterans: Leaders in Commitment and Courage

There are only three things for which I have said that I would sacrifice my life, if need be. They are faith, family, and country. It was my privilege as a young person to serve aboard the US Navy Submarine Tender, USS Fulton, as an expression of commitment to country. For the Navy hymn, click here. We take time on this Veterans Day to honor those who served and sacrificed for our freedom.Following are selected insights that are relevant for Veterans Day.

Let some veterans show you the scars that they have received in battle, and you will realize how much suffering, heartache and blood our freedoms have cost. Out of this comes a great lesson to Christians. The Apostle Paul said, “I bear in my body the marks of the Lord Jesus” (Galatians 6:17). In other words, Paul said that he bore in his body the branding marks of a slave. When he called himself a servant of Jesus Christ, he did not mean a paid worker, as the word connotes today. He meant a slave, in utter subjection to the Master. But this subjection is borne out of love and devotion to Christ, and it ultimately brings liberty.
Billy Graham

We’re in a world in which the possibility of terrorism, married up with technology, could make us very, very sorry we didn’t act.
Condoleeza Rice

Any soldier worth his salt should be anti-war. And still, there are things worth fighting for.
General Norman Schwarzkopf

God grants liberty only to those who love it, and are always ready to guard and defend it.
Daniel Webster

I am well aware of the toll and blood and treasure that it will cost us to maintain this Declaration, and support and defend these States .Yet through all the gloom I can see rays of ravishing light and glory .I can see that the end is worth more than all the means.
John Adams

When you go home
Tell them for us and say
For your tomorrow
We gave our today
Inscription on the military cemetery at Iwo Jima

Soldiers that carry their lives in their hands should carry the grace of God in their hearts.
Richard Baxter

The Lord gets his best soldiers out of the highlands of affliction.
Charles Spurgeon

There are also Scripture passages that seem to be of special relevance to those who serve.
Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be frightened, and do not be dismayed, for the LORD your God is with you wherever you go.
Joshua 1:9

God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.
Psalms 46:1

It is the Lord who goes before you. He will be with you; he will not leave you or forsake you. Do not fear or be dismayed
Deuteronomy 31:8

Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me.
Psalms 23:4

But now thus says the Lord, he who created you, O Jacob, he who formed you, O Israel: “Fear not, for I have redeemed you; I have called you by name, you are mine. When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and through the rivers, they shall not overwhelm you; when you walk through fire you shall not be burned, and the flame shall not consume you.”
Isaiah 43:1-2

In conclusion
Take time today to give thanks for those who have served and are serving. They are the leaders who have protected our freedom. Many have been called into ministry while serving in the military. I am one of them.