Faithful Protectors
They charge like warriors; they scale walls like soldiers. They all march in line, not swerving from their course. Joel 2:7 NIV
They came and the streets were silent. No band, no shouts. Nothing. Simply a deafening silence.
Soldiers who represented World War I, World War II, the Korean War and the Vietnam War rounded the street corner during the parade.
Donned in their dress colors, the men carried the American flag, a MIA flag, a saber and M16. They were the color guard. Three marched side-by-side, the fourth, the Vietnam Vet, walked 3 paces behind, the butt of his gun dragged against the pavement—a sign of a senseless war who’s veterans seemed forgotten. It was Memorial Day 1982, when across the country our nation dedicated the Vietnam War Memorial erected in Washington, DC.
Tad Montgomery described his march along the streets of maintown, USA. “I didn’t believe in the war, but I fought it. I never veered from the course because I trusted in our country.”
Sergeant Anthony Marks, decorated veteran of WWI, told of his buddy shot in the back as he shielded a child.
Gunnery Sergeant, Ian Starns, described his beach landing in the Philippines and the courage of those who ran directly into the face of death.
Infantryman Steven Lester said nothing. His voice lost to the slice of a bayonet. A Vietnam prisoner of war rescued ten years after the close of the war.
These men stood brave in the face of battle never once swerving from their course. They defended our nation at all costs.
Daily our country is defended by men and women whose courage surpasses all else. Even when they fear they are unwavering. Dedicated. Honorable. Selfless. Their love for their nation and their families drive them to faithfulness…faithfulness to a fault. These soldiers believe in the cause. Without question they stand ready to sacrifice their lives for who? For us.
Christ was the ultimate soldier. He withstood the weight of our sin. He was beaten, abused, mocked, yet just as our modern day military, He stood ready to sacrifice His life. And He did sacrifice Himself…for whom? For us. Us. You and I.
The battle wounds Christ suffered came with a price and in His amazing love for us, He did not swerve from the cause. The least I can do is suit up and advance ahead. A very wise friend once said, “God did not send His soldiers into battle to retreat. He sent them to advance.”
As we remember those men and women who refused to swerve for our freedom, remember the one who set the pace – the one who sacrificed it all in our behalf.
Thank you to the soldiers and the families of these individuals. God rain mercy and protection over them with Your unwavering love.
Read Cindy’s devotions.
Cindy is the founder of Mountain Breeze Ministries and cofounder of Christian Devotions Ministries. She has contributed to Novel Journey and Novel Reviews, and Christian Devotions. She has written for PML Programs and contributes to the Times-News.net. Her devotions and articles are published weekly in several newspapers across the country. She cowrites the He Said, She Said devotions with Eddie Jones that publish in Common Ground Christian Newspaper. Cindy is the coauthor of He Said, She Said: A Devotional Guide to Cultivating a Life of Passion.
Cindy is a member of the American Christian Fiction Writers. She attended Johnson Bible College and graduated with a BA in Business from the University of Phoenix in 2008. She is a speaker who teaches and speaks frequently for ladies’ conferences, special events and writers conferences across the country. She is a contributing writer to CBN.com . Contact Cindy if you would like for her to speak to your church, club or group. You can visit Cindy at www.cindysproles.com
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