I had several heroes growing up. I had heroes in baseball and loved the Big Red Machine. I also had heroes in basketball and football. Yes, my heroes were primarily in sports. Before you think all my heroes were sport figures, I also had a pastor as a hero and a friend from our youth group who helped me come to Christ. I grew up having my heroes. It was later in my youth that I realized I had been living with a real hero. This hero was my dad. Dad fought in World War II in the army and was captured in 1945 in the southern part of the Battle of the Bulge. He was placed in a German prison camp. He didn’t talk much about his war and prison camp experiences until his grandkids could get extra credit in American History class by interviewing a World War II veteran, and if the veteran was a POW even more credit could be earned. This is when we learned what dad had endured. We learned of God’s protection in battle but also of friends who died on the battlefields. While in prison camp he endured the cold as no heat was available to them. He shared that there were over 500 in a barracks and everyone slept on the floor. He endured hunger, as the best meal was rotten potatoes and grass in a horse water bin. He watched as men would die because of starvation.
Dad recently received a Quilt of Valor. This is a handmade quilt that is machine or hand quilted. It is awarded to a Service Member or Veteran who has been touched by war. The quilt is a way to say thank you for your service and sacrifice in serving our nation. In the presentation of this quilt dad was called a hero. His only comment was, ‘I’m not the hero. The heroes are the men and women who didn’t make it back home. So true. Rev. Tim Throckmorton shares that it is the veteran who is the real hero in his book, “Lest We Forget.”
Tim shares: “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 campus organizer, who has given us freedom to assemble. It is the veteran, not the lawyer, who has given us the right to a fair trial. It is the veteran, not the politician, who has given us the right to vote. It is the veteran who salutes the Flag: It is the veteran who serves under the Flag. God Bless our Veterans and God Bless the United States of America. Veterans, thank you!
After all my dad went through, and the hardship of war, I asked him if it was worth it and if he had to do it over again would he go to war again? His answer was quick and without hesitation. "Yes, I Would! Our freedom was worth it."
Dad loved the Lord and he taught us that we are in another war. A spiritual war. We are all a part of this war. Ephesians 6:10-13 admonishes us to prepare and stand strong.
Eph. 6:10 Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might.
Eph. 6:11 Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.
Eph. 6:12 For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers,
against the rulers of the darkness of this world,against spiritual wickedness in high places.
Eph. 6:13 Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.
I believe that together we can make a difference in these days. I pray you are encouraged and determined to stand strong against the spiritual battles we face. We will be tested and tried. Battles will come but as an army of God we can not only endure but we will be victorious. Our God is our strength and He is our help and hope. The Lord brings freedom from every spiritual battle.
Psalm 146:5 Happy is he that hath the God of Jacob for his help, whose hope is in the LORD his God.
Psalm 146:6 Which made heaven, and earth, the sea, and all that therein is: which keepeth truth for ever.
Psalm 146:7: Which executeth judgment for the oppressed: which giveth food to the hungry. The LORD looseth the prisoners.
I saw my dad recently. He is 96 years old and failing. When you read this, he may have finished his journey to heaven. He has dementia, and his mind is usually somewhere else. He doesn’t always know us. I read Psalm 91 to him which is his favorite scripture. He memorized this passage long ago and quoted it often. As I read Psalm 91, my dad woke up from a sleep and smiled so big and there was a sparkle in his eyes. His smile and the joy on his face told me that even through the spiritual battles and warfare he would do it all over again and he was telling me our spiritual freedom is worth it.
May we never forget the enemy but may we always remember that God is our refuge and strength and brings spiritual freedom.
IT WILL BE WORTH IT All.
