Spiritual Veterans

"I then, as Paul--an old man and now also a prisoner of Christ Jesus" (Philemon 1:9b).

Today is Veteran's Day here in the United States, a day in which we properly remember veterans and consider the tremendous price they paid for our temporal freedoms. I realize many veterans read these messages including several we know personally and there other readers who are in active service. We thank you for your service. I specifically consider my Uncle Jim who passed away earlier this year who served in WW2 as a navy pilot.

Today I want to focus this devotional on spiritual veterans. Many have gone on before us and are now in the great cloud of witnesses. Others are still on this side and in their senior years of life. They have faithfully served God in their generation and await their call home.

Pastor John Howard was my first pastor (as a born-again Christian). Pastor Howard never had large churches, but due to his commitment to Christ, integrity, friendliness and genuine interest in people he impacted many for Christ. I was one of several ministers he and his wife, Sister Howard, introduced as one of "our boys". I saw her a couple years ago when we took this photo.

They both had such a sweet, loving spirit although they surely have known pain and fought bitterness. Their only son was killed when he was eleven by a drunk driver. I still recall the pain and honest confession, "I still don't understand" in Mrs. Howard's voice as she shared this story with me several years ago. However, in spite of the pain and questioning, they have kept the faith and rejoice in the impact of their ministry in many other ways. I'm glad I'm a part of that.

As we grow older we see more and more of our spiritual mentors going to be with the Lord. Pastor Howard passed away in 1999. I spoke to Mrs. Howard, who is now 89, on the phone last night and she again told me how proud she was of "her boys" (those she and her husband had discipled).

Today remember the contribution made by the countless old spiritual veterans. Let us look at a tiny statement made by the apostle Paul, a true veteran of the Christian conflict. He had fought the good fight of faith and was not at all reserved in identifying himself in the text as an "old man". (The KJV states "the aged".)

He is one of scores of men and women who have risked their lives and sometimes laid down their lives, faced hardship, and otherwise bear the scars of battle for Christ and for our souls. Our spiritual freedom was supremely paid by Christ's death on the Cross. However many others have paid a great price to bring that message to us and to keep the flame burning bright. Let's honor them and let us now take our place in line with the faithful!

I'm sure you can think of some veterans today. Why don't you take a moment to thank God for them, and if you're able, get a word of appreciation to them. You'll make their day an extra special one. That's what Mrs. Howard said to me as we concluded our conversation last night!

Finally we all will become spiritual veterans should the Lord keep us on this side. Brooksyne and I state our determination to stay faithful and enlist readers, near and far, to join us.

Oh, may all who come behind us find us faithful,
May the fire of our devotion light their way.
May the footprints that we leave, lead them to believe,
And the lives we live inspire them to obey.
Oh, may all who come behind us find us faithful.

Be encouraged today,

Stephen & Brooksyne Weber

Daily prayer: Father, for those who've gone before us and remained faithful to the end we take note of their example. For those who have sacrificed their lives that we might have freedom to read Your Word and worship freely we are greatly indebted. And for those of us who remain we want to be vigilant in our daily walk with You, ever growing in Your grace and knowledge, and staying faithful until we draw the last mortal breath on this side, so that our first immortal breath on the other side will be from the portals of heaven. It's all because of Your amazing love, Father, and Jesus' divine sacrifice. Amen.

Chaplain Stephen and Brooksyne Weber serve with Transport for Christ. Click here to contact the Webers.