Honor, Duty, Country… “All those gathered here will know that it is not by sword or spear that the LORD saves; for the battle is the LORD’s, and he will give all of you into our hands.” 1 Samuel 17:47
Nations with effective armies are founded on honor, duty, and country. ‘Honor’ is worship of the Creator and respect for His creation. ‘Duty’ is obedience to God and His word, and the obligation to promote peace and tranquility. ‘Country’ is a fierce loyalty to the home of the brave and land of the free. Honor, duty and country promote a tenacious trust in the Lord, and not arrogant reliance on our military might, “Some trust in chariots and some in horses, but we trust in the name of the LORD our God” (Psalm 20:7).
We honor God when we include Him and His principles in our conversations and in crafting our country’s rule of law. We honor fellow citizens by providing an environment of life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness. This is why our men and women die in defense of nations. Without faith, family and freedom as compelling reasons for war we will fail. Armies honor their own. They cover each other’s back, with no one left behind.
Duty is a determination to do what’s right for the benefit of the whole. You do what you have to do, to engage and defeat the enemy. There is a relentless sense of duty that sets apart average armies from excellent armies. Cold and rain, guns and bullets, blood and injury, and illness and disease do not keep the determined defenders from persevering in pain. Responsibility to finish the drill drives those dogged by dignity and duty.
Lastly, country communicates courage to defend a nation’s ideals. Not a thirst for power, but a trust in Providence. “No king is saved by the size of his army; no warrior escapes by his great strength” (Psalm 33:16). Men and women will die for a country of character, one rooted in righteous behavior. God and country go together like apple pie and ice cream. The integration of fidelity of faith and proud patriotism resist war, but when called upon to fight for freedom, finishes the course. Indebted Christian citizens ask, ‘Am I grateful to God for our military?’ ‘Do I pray for them the Lord’s peace and protection?’
Related Readings: 1 Samuel 17:25-47; Psalm 20:9; Isaiah 31:1; Hebrews 11:33-35
Transformational Living
What did I learn from the Lord in today’s Bible reading?
How will I respond?
