When a person enlists in the military, they are required to take an oath pledging to support and defend the Constitution of the United States and pledge allegiance to the same. Here’s the way it is written, read, and repeated by all who serve in the military. "I, _____, do solemnly swear (or affirm) that I will support and defend the Constitution of the United States against all enemies, foreign and domestic; that I will bear true faith and allegiance to the same; and that I will obey the orders of the President of the United States and the orders of the officers appointed over me, according to regulations and the Uniform Code of Military Justice. So help me God." Notice against all enemies, foreign and domestic and “so help me God?”
As a U S Navy veteran of four years, I remember the exact moment I took that oath and pledged my allegiance. I remember it vividly because of the emotion I felt realizing that I might actually have to sacrifice my life while serving my country. Memorial Day commemorates those who not only took this oath and pledged their allegiance, but did in fact, give their lives. Why do you think they did that? They must have believed in what that oath and their allegiance truly stood for. What do we do to remember and honor these fallen heroes? We take a holiday. To be honest, how many really stop and give it much thought? How about the other 364 days of the year? Are those kneeling during the National Anthem thinking about these fallen heroes? Does removing the pledge of allegiance and prayer from of our schools honor these fallen heroes? Does disrespecting government, state, and local authority honor these fallen heroes? Does the blatant disrespect for police officers, including screaming and spitting in their faces, honor these fallen heroes? Does the continued rhetoric we see all across America honor these fallen heroes? Do we think they sacrificed their lives so we could be divided, hateful, and violent? Does the killing of innocent people, especially children, rioting in our streets, and damaging local property, honor these fallen heroes?
How loosely do we throw the word freedom around? Even something as precious as freedom, has become more about self and less about God and country. Some people have the attitude that nobody should be telling us what to do, or dictate how we live. Some confuse freedom with the right to act the way they want. With respect to governing authorities, the structure of society in which we live is founded on God. In Mark 12:17 (NLT) Jesus said, “Well then, give to Caesar what belongs to Caesar, and give to God what belongs to God.” Rules and regulations are set forth to keep us safe and help us prosper. Without rules or regulations, social and civil order would be at risk. To maintain order, people in positions of authority are responsible to hold us accountable for our actions. Romans 13:1–2 (NLT) says, “Everyone must submit to governing authorities. For all authority comes from God, and those in positions of authority have been placed there by God. So anyone who rebels against authority is rebelling against what God has instituted, and they will be punished.” How often do we stop and think about what God is trying to accomplish through those in positions of authority? How often do those in positions of authority think about what God is trying to accomplish through them?
Author’s comments: Spiritual warfare is about fighting for the freedom to carry out our good intentions. All the physical and emotional evidence indicates we are losing the battle, but there’s Good News. It’s never too late. At any time, we have the freedom to stop following our sinful desires and Satan’s lead. We can start following the Spirit’s lead. We can learn to rely on the Holy Spirit for the spiritual strength we need. Let’s use this Memorial Day as a new starting point. Let our actions bring the honor these fallen heroes deserve.
If you would like to talk to Bruce or ask him anything, please don’t hesitate to reach out. It’s free! Simply visit the website battlecrygoodvsevil.com and hit the contact Bruce tab. It directly connects you to Bruce by email. Bruce is a Christian counselor by degree, but more importantly, a spiritual counselor by God.
Battle Cry Good vs. Evil is available in paperback or eBook through the website, Amazon, Barnes & Noble, iTunes, and Walmart.com. To get future blogs, be sure to “like” and “follow” Battle Cry on Facebook.