On this Veterans Day Sunday, I can say that we take for granted what we’ve been given. It came with a great price. Many casualties of war are still alive, suffering lifetime injuries with long-term effects. Even though some wars may not have been won, the military deterrent in the area was there; we’ll never know how the outcome of the world would have been without the presence of our soldiers in an area. History would be different.
Soldiers do not die in vain. Here in the scripture is a tribute to a veteran. A fallen king’s failure in his duty to God and to his country is shown to us. Saul died on the battlefield. The kingdom had been given to David, but technically it still belonged to Saul. He got wrapped up in his own agenda and Israel suffered. Upon hearing of King Saul’s death, David didn’t strike back. He had no harsh words.
King Saul led the army to Gilboa. In the battle against the Philistines he and his sons did what they could, but it was not enough. He was a soldier to the end. He didn’t have the help of God because he had forsaken God. Rather than allow himself to be captured, he fell upon his sword. Failing as he was, David lamented the man who many times wanted to and tried to kill him. In David’s eyes, Saul was still the anointed king. He saluted his valor and wept over the loss of the king. David still had respect for Saul.
It is easy to talk about leaders and commanders. When we talk about America, we talk about ourselves. America is Washington DC and New York City. It’s San Francisco and Miami. It’s also Adwolfe Free Will Baptist Church. It’s each of us. We all bear responsibility. There is a lot to down America about. There is a lot to be thankful too.
There was one reason Israel was in the shape it was in. The Bible says righteousness exalteth a nation: but sin is a reproach to any people. The crisis we face now doesn’t lie in failed policies of government; it is society’s promotion of sin and the condoning of it. Israel suffered, just as we can, under the judgment of God. America is reaping what it has sown. The financial concern in America is high. We need to be worried about souls. When the dollar is given more attention than God, it is lifted above the need of the soul. We justly deserve to lose. The only god who won’t lose value is the god with a capital G—God Almighty. Jesus Christ died on the battlefield of Calvary as he fell under the load of our sin so we could have a Savior. We can be raised to a level of happiness that the dollar can’t buy. The mightiest of the universe fell so we could be raised.
II Samuel 1: 17And David lamented with this lamentation over Saul and over Jonathan his son: 18(Also he bade them teach the children of Judah the use of the bow: behold, it is written in the book of Jasher.) 19The beauty of Israel is slain upon thy high places: how are the mighty fallen! 20Tell it not in Gath, publish it not in the streets of Askelon; lest the daughters of the Philistines rejoice, lest the daughters of the uncircumcised triumph. 21Ye mountains of Gilboa, let there be no dew, neither let there be rain, upon you, nor fields of offerings: for there the shield of the mighty is vilely cast away, the shield of Saul, as though he had not been anointed with oil. 22From the blood of the slain, from the fat of the mighty, the bow of Jonathan turned not back, and the sword of Saul returned not empty. 23Saul and Jonathan were lovely and pleasant in their lives, and in their death they were not divided: they were swifter than eagles, they were stronger than lions. 24Ye daughters of Israel, weep over Saul, who clothed you in scarlet, with other delights, who put on ornaments of gold upon your apparel. 25How are the mighty fallen in the midst of the battle! O Jonathan, thou wast slain in thine high places. 26I am distressed for thee, my brother Jonathan: very pleasant hast thou been unto me: thy love to me was wonderful, passing the love of women. 27How are the mighty fallen, and the weapons of war perished!
In a moment David forgot the hatred of Saul and the undeserved cruelty he placed upon him. He set is aside. No one gave Saul a compliment, but David cried over him. He saw Saul as the anointed king until his death.
Thank God for our vets. We would not have the country we have without them, but we wouldn’t have anything that we have without the greatest veteran of war of all time. Let’s dedicate ourselves to the King of Glory. Through serving him, we can do what’s right for America. Our country is still worth fighting for. It’s still worth being a Christian for. The hope of this nation is in our hearts. He’s the only one who can win our battles.
Adwolfe Freewill Baptist Church 