What Shall We Make of This?

On this Memorial day, many of us take time to reflect on those that sacrificed their life to protect our country and its freedom.  As we reflect on the past, we also consider the things going on today and we may say, “what shall we make of this?”  It’s confusing and frustrating and we may be wondering, “Where’s God in all of this?”

To many of us that have been around for a few years, the world is looking very different from the one we grew up in.  Many of us are concerned and some are even afraid.  But God’s word says, Joshua 1:9 NIV Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous.  Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.

I am very sure that we are not the only ones in history that have been concerned for their future and we will not be the last until the world comes to an end.

What do we make of what’s going on?  Well, it’s war.  Not a world war or other conflicts many brave soldiers died in, but a spiritual war, which is actually also behind every conflict known to man. I believe that Satan’s reign is coming closer to and end, so we are now seeing evil manifest in many outward ways that are very noticeable and disturbing.  We should not be surprised, Ephesian 6:12 For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realm. 1 Peter 5:8 Be alert and sober mind.  Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour.

Are we to lose heart and stay in our houses?  Are we to become negative people with no hope or should we be praying, voting, speaking out, praying for people in need and bringing lost sheep back to the flock?   The goodness of God that lives in us has to shine for darkness to be dispelled.  We do not fight this war alone; we fight with God on our knees and with a prayer on the tip of our tongue everywhere we go.  We were put here to make a difference. 

You know what?  A filthy house stays filthy until someone brings in cleaning supplies and makes the effort to clean up the mess.  Our house, our country and our world is in a mess! Who does God send to clean it up? Anyone? No, the people that have the cleaning supplies; prayer, the Bible and the Holy Spirit plus those that have the gumption to make the effort to do so because each person’s life and our country is worth saving.  God is in the salvage business, shouldn’t we be?

I can’t imagine how hard it was for each soldier to go into battle knowing that they were not just going to be made fun of, ridiculed or taken to court like we would be in society, but that they had a high chance of losing their life for what they believed.  They gave the ultimate sacrifice, are we willing to give up anything to turn the tide in society and save souls?  I ask you, who is brave among us today? 

God has not abandoned us; he’s asking us to wake up and fight the good fight on our knees and with our words and gifts.  I believe he’s allowing us to see what’s beneath the veil, what’s been hidden.  I believe He is asking us, “Do you care?”  “Are you willing to step out in faith and tackle the hard stuff knowing I am with you always?”  “Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for I the Lord your God am with you wherever you go.”

I want to thank every family that gave the ultimate gift to America, the loss of their loved one.  For to me, their loss was not in vain.  We have lived in a wonderful country with freedom all these years because of these good men and women.  We can learn a lot from their work and sacrifice. 

“The only thing necessary for the triumph of evil is that good men do nothing.”  Edmund Burke

God is calling us to live a righteous life, what does that mean? Righteousness, to live a good moral, right life, not perfect but striving to live as Christ in love and actions.

  The thing to remember is:

 “God doesn’t call the qualified, He qualifies the called!  Mark Batterson, from his book, The Circle Maker

We are never alone unless we choose to be.

Prayer

Lord, we honor the brave men and women on this Memorial Day.  What an example they are to us.  Please fill us with bravery and a calling to get up and do our part.  Show us what to do and where to go.  Remind us to always fight in prayer using your scripture as the sword that pierces the darkness such as, Psalm 112:10 The wicked will see and be vexed, they will gnash their teeth and waste away, the longings of the wicked will come to nothing.  And, Psalm 141:10 Let the wicked fall into their own nets, while I pass by in safety.  Thank you Lord, for being with us wherever we go.  In Jesus’ name, amen.

A great Christian show to watch for truth and encouragement is Flashpoint.

https://flashpoint.govictory.com/