This morning we gather, once again, to give thanks for all that God has provided us. We thank Him for all that we have and all we are yet to be given. We thank Him for our family; our friends; our livelihood and all our possessions.
Today, along with our thanks to God, we give our gratitude to all of those that have served to protect our rights to worship the word of God and live as the Gospel of Christ has instructed us to live.
Our Country
This great nation of ours, despite what some may tell you, was built on God’s word and the lessons of Jesus Christ during His ministry here on Earth.
The United States of America had five main Biblical principles that were used in the creation of the Declaration of Independence. These helped form our Biblical foundation:
1) God created all people equal – Genesis 1 and 2
2) God gave every person certain rights that are essential to God’s purpose for them – Genesis 1 and 2
3) God instituted government to secure and protect these rights – Genesis 9 and Romans 13
4) God established moral laws in His word. “We the people” holds the government accountable to God’s moral laws – Exodus 20, Acts 4:18-20 and Romans 2:12-16
5) Government must rule at the consent of the people – Deuteronomy 1:16-17
From Our Founding Fathers
George Washington: “It is impossible to govern the world without God and the Bible.”
This is self-explanatory. You cannot run this country or the whole world without God and the Bible.
Patrick Henry (“Give me Liberty or give me Death”): “If we cannot be emphasized too clearly and too often that this nation was founded, not by religionists, but by Christians; not on religion, but on God’s word, the Gospel of Jesus.”
What Patrick Henry was clearly stating is this nation was founded by Christians not on just any religion but on God’s word, the Gospel of Jesus.
The Birth of Our Soldiers
On September 29, 1789, the final day of its first session, the United States Congress passed “An act to recognize and adapt to the Constitution of the United States, the establishment of the troops raised under the resolves of the United States in Congress assembled.” The act legalized the existing U.S. Army, a small force inherited from the Continental Congress that had been created under the Articles of Confederation.
This was an act in which our military forces were officially created to protect our nation. These forces were to protect, not only the people, but the rights of our country with one such right being our right to worship our God freely. This was, the birth of the American Soldier.
We Volunteered
The nation's first military draft began in 1940, when President Roosevelt signed the Selective Training and Service Act. The draft continued through war and peacetime until 1973, just two short years before the ending of the Vietnam War. More than 10 million men entered military service through the Selective Service System during World War II alone.
Today, enlistment in our Military is voluntary, yet this country has never known a shortage of Soldiers throughout our conflicts. This fact alone, clearly demonstrates the dedication of this Nation’s people, both men and women, to the protection and survival of our great Nation.
Bible Encouragement for Our Soldiers
In 2 Samuel 22, during the reign of David, you will find many references where a Soldier may find their strength. David, himself being a Soldier, drew heavily on God for his victories.
Advancement and Confidence 30 – “With your help I can advance against a troop; with my God I can scale a wall.”
Strength and Safety 33-35 – “It is God who arms me with strength and keeps my way secure. He makes my feet like the feet of a deer; he causes me to stand on the heights. He trains my hands for battle; my arms can bend a bow of bronze.
Victory 38-39 – “I pursued my enemies and crushed them; I did not turn back till they were destroyed. I crushed them completely, and they could not rise; they fell beneath my feet.”
Our Enemies Fear
Why are our soldiers so fear throughout the world? Let's listen to some of the comments about them from our former enemies...
WW II – Quotes from the Germans
“Americans are good fighters with nerve and recklessness.”
—Arunlf Oster, Lieut. of Reserve
“There were only a handful of Americans there, but they fought like wildmen."
—Antone Fuhrmann of Mayschoss
“I had been told by other soldiers that the American infantryman was reckless to the point of foolishness."
—Peter Bertram, shopkeeper of Dernau
These statements clearly show the tenacity of the American Soldier. We fight for all we care about with bravery, honor and a drive that simply cannot be stopped!
I'd like to read to you something I found on the Internet which displays just a few of the things we have that we all too often forget.
We Owe our Veterans (author unknown)
It is the VETERAN, not the preacher,
who has given us freedom of religion.
It is the VETERAN, not the reporter,
who has given us freedom of the press.
It is the VETERAN, not the poet,
who has given us freedom of speech.
It is the VETERAN, not the politician,
Who has given us the right to vote.
It is the VETERAN, who salutes the Flag,
Who serves under the Flag.
WHAT IS A VETERAN?
There are so many veterans that surround us and we don't even know them. Here is a little poem that helps us understand just who the American Veteran is, and it may not be who you think it is...
I AM A VETERAN
by Andrea Christensen Brett
You may not know me the first time we meet
I’m just another you see on the street
But I am the reason you walk and breathe free
I am the reason for your liberty
I work in the local factory all day
I own the restaurant just down the way
I sell you insurance, I start your IV
I’ve got the best-looking grandkids you’ll ever see
I’m your grocer, your banker
Your child’s schoolteacher
I’m your plumber, your barber
Your family’s preacher
But there’s part of me you don’t know very well
Just listen a moment, I’ve a story to tell
I joined the service while still in my teens
I traded my prom dress for camouflage greens
Not the first in my family to do something like this
I followed my father, like he followed his
Defying my fears and hiding my doubt
I married my sweetheart before I shipped out
I missed Christmas, then Easter, the birth of my son
But I knew I was doing what had to be done
I served on the battlefront, I served on the base
I bound up the wounded. And begged for God’s grace
I gave orders to fire, I followed commands
I marched into conflict in far distant lands
In the jungle, the desert, on mountains and shores
In bunkers, in tents, on dank earthen floors
While I fought on the ground, in the air, on the sea
My family and friends were home praying for me
For the land of the free and the home of the brave
I faced my demons in foxholes and caves
Then one dreaded day, without drummer or fife
I lost an arm, my buddy lost his life
I came home and moved on, but forever was changed
The perils of war in my memory remained
I don’t really say much, I don’t feel like I can
But I left home a child, and came home a man
There are thousands like me
Thousands more who are gone
But their legacy lives as time marches on
White crosses in rows, and names carved in queue
Remind us of what these brave souls had to do
I’m part of a fellowship, a strong mighty band
Of each man and each woman, who has served this great land
When Old Glory waves, I stand proud, I stand tall
I helped keep her flying… over you, over all
Conclusion
We should always give thanks to God for delivering to us our Savior. We should always give thanks to Christ for all He sacrificed here on earth, perishing at the very hands of His own people, to cleanse us of all sin. Through His blood, we have been saved and will have eternal life.
We should also give thanks to all that have served/still serve this Country. It is their sacrifices that have entitled us to live the way we do, to worship the Father, Son and Holy Spirit freely without fear. They have done this willingly, voluntarily without remorse and, if you asked any one of them, would gladly do it again.
For all in attendance today, please give these brave people a round of applause. Give thanks to our Lord for giving these brave souls to us who have protected us, sacrificed their own safety, and done so with heart, perseverance and dedication to life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness (Declaration of Independence)! Give them your applause, give them a hug, and most of all, give them your thanks!
Go with God; be good to one another; always stay humble; always be kind… God Bless (Amen)!
