Reflections, May 24th, 2009

Reflections: "In Remembrance"

Sunday, May 24th, 2009

"Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends." John 15:13

Scripture reading for this week: 2 Chronicles 14, John 15:12-19, Romans 5:7-8,
3 John 4.

How many of us can say that we are willing to go the length to lay down our lives for our family, let alone a friend? How about a stranger? Yet, there have been many men and women who have done just that. There are many men and women continuing to do so right now-laying down their lives for not only family and friends, but also for strangers.

We celebrate Memorial Day this week. For many, it is the kick-off to the summer season of barbeques and get-togethers. But for most, we know that it is a day to honor our veterans. Our soldiers, that lay their lives on the line each and every day that we may enjoy our way of life; our freedom; our right to live the way we choose...even if that life does not include God.

It is my humble prayer that this week's Reflection, will bring encouragement and enlightenment to your heart and soul. Whatever you may be searching for in this life, I pray that you would consider seeking the face of God, and then listening to what He has to say to you. Make no mistake, with God, you cannot go wrong; He loves you too much.

Isn't it something, that men and women have fought to protect our rights and way of life, even if it means our way of life doesn't include God? It's your life. But isn't this exactly what Jesus chose to do, as well? He came into this world to defeat Satan, so that we may have the right to eternal life in Christ. He fought a war that has been won. He gave His life. God, His only begotten Son, so that we may have life. And He did it freely. He fought and won the war, so we don't have to. He defeated Satan when He gave His life, died on the Cross, rose the third day, and ascended into heaven. Jesus did that for you and me. So we'd have the right to choose to live the way we so choose to...with or without him.

Christ didn't come just for those that believe, but for those that didn't believe. He didn't come to bring condemnation, but the opportunity to live eternally. Whether or not you choose to follow Christ, and believe in the Son of God, is between you and God. But make no mistakes about it, the price was paid in full, so that you may have that right-the right between eternal life and eternal death (being separated from God for eternity).

Our veterans fought in wars they didn't know what the outcome would be. But they fought, nonetheless, to protect what they knew and what they loved. And we have soldiers now, doing the same thing. I often ponder the decision of those men and women that make the decision to serve their country. Knowing that there is a chance for death. That war is a possibility. What goes through their hearts and minds as they are deciding this path? I'm certain that just as there are many differences in their reasons, there are also similarities. However be it, I am very grateful to their dedication, and their service. If I could, I'd give each one a medal of honor; but the best I can do is to go on my knees, and keep them in my prayers, continually praying for peace and a safe return home. To their families and friends.

Do you think that a relationship with God can make a difference when it comes to war? Do you believe that victory could very well rests in the hands of those that believe and serve God? Before you answer that, lets look at 2 Chronicles 14:2-13...

2 And Asa did that which was good and right in the eyes of the LORD his God: 3 For he took away the altars of the strange gods, and the high places, and brake down the images, and cut down the groves: 4 And commanded Judah to seek the LORD God of their fathers, and to do the law and the commandment. 5 Also he took away out of all the cities of Judah the high places and the images: and the kingdom was quiet before him. 6 And he built fenced cities in Judah: for the land had rest, and he had no war in those years; because the LORD had given him rest. 7 Therefore he said unto Judah, Let us build these cities, and make about them walls, and towers, gates, and bars, while the land is yet before us; because we have sought the LORD our God, we have sought him, and he hath given us rest on every side. So they built and prospered. 8 And Asa had an army of men that bare targets and spears, out of Judah three hundred thousand; and out of Benjamin, that bare shields and drew bows, two hundred and fourscore thousand: all these were mighty men of valour. 9 And there came out against them Zerah the Ethiopian with an host of a thousand thousand, and three hundred chariots; and came unto Mareshah. 10 Then Asa went out against him, and they set the battle in array in the valley of Zephathah at Mareshah. 11 And Asa cried unto the LORD his God, and said, LORD, it is nothing with thee to help, whether with many, or with them that have no power: help us, O LORD our God; for we rest on thee, and in thy name we go against this multitude. O LORD, thou art our God; let no man prevail against thee. 12 So the LORD smote the Ethiopians before Asa, and before Judah; and the Ethiopians fled. 13 And Asa and the people that were with him pursued them unto Gerar: and the Ethiopians were overthrown, that they could not recover themselves; for they were destroyed before the LORD, and before his host; and they carried away very much spoil.

King Asa did what was good and right in God's eyes. He was a king that diverted away from the ways of his father, and instructed Judah to do the same. He rid the kingdom and the providences of all that was ungodly, and implored Judah to begin to worship and seek the God of their forefathers. He instructed them to begin to implement the laws and commandments of their, Lord God.

Because of Asa's heart and relationship with the Lord, God gave him rest for ten years. For ten years there was no war. Asa had found favor in the eyes of God. And because of this time of rest, Asa was able to build strong cities, and gates, and fortified Judah all about. It not only became strong once again, it also prospered. They were living in abundance, because they chose to serve and follow the laws and commandments of the, Lord, their God.

Because of their prosperity, they became a threat to other nations (sound familiar?). The king of Ethiopia came against Judah in war. Now, remember, King Asa had only 580, 000 soldiers, whereas the King of Ethiopia had 1 million. But look at the prayer of Asa:

Verse 11: "And Asa cried unto the Lord his God, and said, Lord, it is nothing with thee to help, whether with many, or with them that have no power: help us, O Lord, thou art our God: for we rest on thee, and in thy name we go against this multitude. O Lord, thou art our God; let no man prevail against thee."

King Asa reminded the Lord that He has no respect of persons. He reminded God that they were fighting this war in His name. That, Judah had been serving their God, and had done what was right in the eyes of God. He told God that He was the true God, and a loss for them, would be as though man had prevailed against God; had won against the God of Judah.

God honored Asa's prayer. And I believe that because King Asa had done what was right in the eyes of God; because he had gotten Judah to come in one accord, they not only prospered in a time of peace, but also one a war where they were outnumbered, and gain even greater prosperity in the end for their obedience.

When you serve God with all your heart, and you follow His commandments and come on one accord, the favor of God rests upon you, and every battle you enter becomes a victory. Because it is God that is fighting our battles.

I wonder how soon a war would be over, if as a people we: came on one accord, began to pray with one another and for each other, put aside all manner of foolishness and hypocrisy and back-biting and back-stabbing, and worked together as a nation truly united under God. Would we see our land healed? Would we see our soldiers come home quickly and safe? Would we began to see a turn in the infrastructure of this nation? Would we see prosperity for ALL people happen? What would happen if we just believed, and followed what God said? Then it would truly give a whole new meaning to Memorial Day.

In remembering our veterans and our soldiers, let us also remember their families, and the lives that were taken, so that we could maintain our freedom, living the lives that we choose to live.

May we open our eyes, and see what God is showing us. Open our ears to hear what He is saying to us.

3 John 4: "I have no greater joy than to hear that my children walk in truth."

May the truth of God's word blossom in your heart and direct your paths. I pray that the spirit of peace and prosperity rests in every area of your life: spiritually, physically, emotionally, mentally, socially and financially. When we give God all of us and seek to please Him, putting Him first; we will begin to see victories in the areas of our life we never thought possible. Be Blessed.

©2009. Ruthe McDonald. All Rights Reserved.