Yesterday, near the close of our service, our Pastor conducted a “Time of blessing and prayer” for us and others with family and friends in the Armed Forces--we have a lengthy list at our church. The Deacons and Elders laid hands upon us and the other families while Pastor C offered prayers for soldiers’ safety and their families’ comfort and safety while separated. I had the opportunity to speak before the laying on of hands/prayer. My monologue, centered on Psalm 91, follows:
"Pastor C, (my wife) & I thank you for this very special blessing and also to the Deacons and Elders. Before we resume worship, I wanted to briefly mention a few facts associated with my Afghanistan journey which commences next Sunday; also some thoughts on Psalm 91.
Lest anyone think the draft has resumed and nabbed me; there have been only volunteers in our Armed Forces for more than three decades. Following the savagery of September 11, 2001, thousands of veterans, myself included, volunteered for this battle, the latest in a series of long battles in a 1400 year war waged against civilization by satanic forces.
In any event, the promises made by God in Psalm 91 and by Jesus, our Lord and Savior throughout His teaching will sustain us. I am equally certain that God’s word will sustain Penny during the time we are apart, just as He has so many of you over the years during your trials.
Please take a moment to look at Psalm 91, beginning with verses 1 and 2, to hear how those who trust in the Lord, need have no fear of any peril.
'(1) He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High will rest in the shadow of the Almighty. (2) I will say of the Lord, ‘He is my refuge and my fortress, my God in Whom I trust.'
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But (my wife), as well as others in our family, had and have many questions--only some of which have been answered: She is unsure of the environment and the type of operations I would be involved in. Would he be safe? How would he do? Would he try to get out and be with the troops? Would he stay healthy? Would he have access to e-mail or a phone? We look to God for His sovereign protection as I along with thousands of others begin to deploy to this combat zone. Listen to verses 3 and 4 about God’s protection over his own.
'(3) Surely he will save you from the fowler’s snare and from the deadly pestilence. (4) He will cover you with his feathers, and under his wings you will find refuge; his faithfulness will be your shield and rampart.'
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Today and very happily so, (RV, a young soldier in the congregation) is returning from his second tour in Iraq which is why NV and her family are absent today, taking part in a joyous family reunion. Verses 5 – 8 describe some of the perils we face and the victory to come.
'(5) You will not fear the terror of night, nor the arrow that flies by day, (6) nor the pestilence that stalks in the darkness, nor the plague that destroys at midday. (7) A thousand may fall at your side, ten thousand at your right hand, but it will not come near you. (8) You will only observe with your eyes and see the punishment of the wicked.'
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The weapons our soldiers use are mighty—without parallel on this earth. But the armor that we have to sustain and protect us is best applied while on our knees in prayer. Verses 9 – 13 relate to our protection and how God’s promise as to how earthly and demonic evil will be crushed.
'(9) If you make the Most High your dwelling—even the Lord who is my refuge— (10) then no harm will befall you, no disaster will come near your tent. (11) For He will command His angels concerning you to guard you in all your ways; (12) they will lift you up in their hands, so that you will not strike your foot against a stone. (13) You will tread upon the lion and the cobra; you will trample on the great lion and the serpent.'
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General Thomas “Stonewall” Jackson whose Christian faith was legendary, said, “[M]y religious belief teaches me to feel as safe in battle as in bed. God has fixed the time for my death. I do not concern myself about that, but to be always ready, no matter when it may overtake me. That is the way all men should live, and then all would be equally brave.” Stonewall Jackson certainly read this Psalm more than a few times and dwelt on verse 14 which comes with God’s deepest affection.
'(14) Because He loves me’ says the Lord, ‘I will rescue him; I will protect him, for he acknowledges my name.’
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So, my dear friends and my beloved wife, it is my hope to return and tell you how God worked in soldiers’ lives including my own and to humbly relate to you our soldiers’ role in helping a people under wretched bondage, achieve a measure of justice and peace. We are indeed the only nation on the earth that is doing this on the scale at which it must be done, to keep our land free from totalitarianism. May God help us in this noble venture and enable us to do our duty with skill, courage, honor, and mercy. With the Psalmist’s final verses come God’s assurances.
'(15) He will call upon me and I will answer him; I will be with him in trouble. I will deliver him and honor him. (16) With long life I will satisfy him and show him my salvation.'
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AMEN. AMEN. AMEN."
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