The Strength of a Decorated Soldier

Major Audie Murphy earned 33 awards, citations and decorations, including all possible medals of valor from the U.S., as well as three French and one Belgian medal. - U.S. Department of War

Medal of Honor recipient, Army Major Audie Murphy, is the U.S military’s most decorated soldier in history. He spent about 400 days on the front lines in WWII. During his more than three years of combat, he was wounded three times, fought in nine major campaigns and was credited with killing more than 240 enemy soldiers while wounding and capturing many others. All this despite being only 5 feet, 5 inches tall and 110 pounds. (Image from togetherweservedblog) 

The U.S. Department of War states, “Murphy earned 33 awards, citations and decorations, including all possible medals of valor from the U.S., as well as three French and one Belgian medal.”

In ancient days there was another highly decorated soldier. His name was David. He rose to become the greatest solider in Israel’s history. As a teenager, in one-on-one combat, he singlehandedly killed Goliath, the fiercest enemy solider Israel ever faced. From there he successfully served in multiple battles, eventually rising to become King of Israel and its most accomplish military general.

During his career as a warrior, David killed thousands of enemy soldiers and expanded Israel’s territory like never before. The Bible says of him, “And the Lord gave victory to David wherever he went. [He] reigned over all Israel [and] administered justice and equity to all his people.” (2 Samuel 8:14-15) As King, he once wrote, “Some trust in chariots and some in horses, but we trust in the name of the Lord our God. They collapse and fall, but we rise and stand upright. O Lord, save the king!” (Psalm 20:7-9) Echoing the same ideas, he repeated, “The king is not saved by his great army; a warrior is not delivered by his great strength. The war horse is a false hope for salvation, and by its great might it cannot rescue…Our soul waits for the Lord; he is our help and our shield.” (Ps. 33:16-17,20)

As a King, David was not foolish, but well prepared for any attack. He had an army ready to fight and all the weapons of his day at his disposal. But where did he place his trust? For the defense of his nation and victory in the bloody battles of war, he trusted in the Lord God. The one who is King of all kings, Lord of lords and Creator of heaven and earth.

David understood the nature of mankind and the world he lived in. He knew there was an unseen evil and lawless spirit that raised up ruthless men to kill and destroy. Would mortal men alone with man-made weapons achieve victory against such a diabolical enemy? David employed the only one who had power over evil. The Lord God Almighty. A wicked tyrant can defeat men but cannot defeat God. This is seen in the Lord Jesus Christ, who was put on the cross by cunning and crafty lawless men. Yet three days later he defeated their schemes by rising from the dead.

The leader of a nation. The leader of an army. A soldier. A citizen. They are all fools who do not trust in God’s only Son to thwart the attacks of evil forces.

How can people receive this divine protection? Simple. Humble themselves before the Lord God and call upon the Lord for mercy with a desperate heart. God always responds when precious souls finally realize they cannot save themselves, but only God can. Yet, because of our stubbornness, we often find ourselves at the brink of utter defeat before we realize that truth.

Are you fighting in our own strength? Are you near to defeat? Then are you ready to humble yourself and call upon the only one who can save you to the uttermost?

A prayer for you - Lord God, you see the nations and souls of all people. Bring Presidents, Prime Ministers and Kings to call upon you. Bring military generals and soldiers to fall on their face before you. Bring dads, moms, grandpas and grandmas to be desperate for you. Bring them to stop fighting in their own strength and trying to save themselves. Lead them to call out to you to save their souls, their families and their nation. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

Is The Judgment and Wrath of God Real?

What is God to do when like a parent, He lovingly lays down rules for the good of His children, but they blatantly defy Him with high handed rebellion? - Clint Decker

A survey from a few years ago found that “nearly eight-in-ten U.S. adults think God or a higher power has protected them, and two-thirds say they have been rewarded by the Almighty. By comparison, somewhat fewer see God as judgmental and punitive. Six-in-ten Americans say God or a higher power will judge all people on what they have done, and four-in-ten say they have been punished by God…” (Image from Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary)

When it comes to our natural instincts, if we are given a choice, we would rather receive messages about how God is pleased with us and loves us, rather than how He will judge us. Am I correct? Despite our personal feelings though, is the judgment and wrath of God real?

Jesus once said, “…whoever does not obey the Son [Jesus] shall not see life, but the wrath of God remains on him” (John 3:36). Wrath of God? The phrase is uncomfortable. Jesus is the most compassionate, kind and loving person the world has ever known.

Sometimes we might think the idea of God’s wrath, judgment or anger was just an Old Testament thing, and that when Jesus came in the New Testament, it all ended. Not true. There are hundreds of verses throughout the entire Bible that speak about the judgment of God.

What is the wrath of God? Theological scholar, Dr. Leon Morris, wrote that it is the “active opposition of God’s holy nature to everything that is evil.” Evil is anything that goes against the ways of God. He helps us understand by providing a comprehensive list of evil things sinful hearts do, saying they are “…filled with all manner of unrighteousness, evil, covetousness, malice. They are full of envy, murder, strife, deceit, maliciousness. They are gossips, slanderers, haters of God, insolent, haughty, boastful, inventors of evil, disobedient to parents, foolish, faithless, heartless, ruthless.” (Romans 1:29-31)

How does God respond to this evil in our hearts? By being both merciful and just. When we persist in going our own way, in a display of divine grace, God patiently and mercifully speaks the truth to warn us. He does it through His Spirit and human messengers. God cautions us about what will happen if we refuse, just like He did in the beginning with Adam and Eve, history’s first man and woman. God said to Adam, “You may surely eat of every tree of the garden, but of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil you shall not eat, for in the day that you eat of it you shall surely die.” (Genesis 2:16-17)

What is God to do when like a parent, He lovingly lays down rules for the good of His children, but they blatantly defy Him with high handed rebellion? God will respond with equitable justice. He will act impartially, and come against every thought, word or deed that violates His glory, honor and holiness. The Scripture says, “It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God” (Hebrews 10:31).

Is there a purpose for divine judgment or is God just an angry God? When we experience the internal conviction of things we have done wrong, the negative consequences of our own actions or some form of divine discipline, it is all meant to help us. God’s judgment is a supernatural-sent spiritual alarm, to wake us up to the condition of our life and where it is headed, unless we change course.

The Scripture says that God, “…is patient toward you, not wishing that any should perish, but that all should reach repentance.” (2 Peter 3:9) Right now, Jesus is waiting for you with arms stretched open wide. Stop. Sin no more, and receive His forgiveness. Trust in Jesus and be gloriously saved forever this very hour.

A prayer for you - Lord God, I praise you for your mercy and justice. You are a God without partiality and a wise judge. Let us walk in reverent fear before you because of your mighty power. Help us to turn from our ways and find salvation for our soul in Jesus alone. In His name. Amen.

You Were Created for Work and not Entertainment

The culture of entertainment we live in is not what we were made for. God made us for something greater. - Clint Decker

The Smithsonian Museum in Washington, DC has an exhibit, “Entertainment Nation.” It explores America’s transformation into an entertainment and leisure focused country. Today, Americans spend nearly five hours a day being entertained through their phones, tablets, video games, computers, TVs, other games, sports, leisure and recreational activities. Budgets reflect this as people spend over $300 a month or $3,600 a year on entertainment related items. And even in hard times Americans are still determined to have lots of fun no matter their financial situation. (Image by unsplash)

Is this what we were created for – to be in constant pursuit of entertainment, pleasure, recreation, and leisure?

Our Creator had a different mindset. The Bible says about Him, “Thus the heavens and the earth were finished, and all the host of them. And on the seventh day God finished his work that he had done, and he rested on the seventh day from all his work that he had done.” (Genesis 2:1-2) The work God did took place before evil ever entered the world. Work was part of God’s utopia, the perfect place He created for mankind to live. And He purposed them to labor like Him, “The Lord God took the man and put him in the garden of Eden to work it and keep it.” (Gen. 2:15) All mankind was created in the image of God, so since God worked, He created mankind to do the same.

What does it mean to work? It means to create, build or produce something. Just like God did with the heavens and the earth. Jesus, who is the physical image of the invisible God, reflects this. He once said, “My Father is working until now, and I am working.” (John 5:17) He worked constantly at doing signs, wonders, miracles, teaching and preaching to bring the Kingdom of God to earth and build His church. Then near the end, before His death and resurrection, he said, “I glorified you on earth, having accomplished the work that you gave me to do.” (Jn. 17:4)

The culture of entertainment we live in is not what we were made for. God made us for something greater. He made us so that we might create and build things for His glory, and for the good of other people, “Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men, knowing that from the Lord you will receive the inheritance as your reward. You are serving the Lord Christ.” (Colossians 3:23-24)

When we give ourselves to work, we are the benefactors. When we work at our job with excellence we might get promoted or a pay raise. When we work at building a company, we provide beneficial products and services to people and give others a place of employment to provide for their family. When we work on our marriage, we can have a strong and healthy relationship with our spouse. When we work at raising godly children, we provide them a foundation for a successful future. When we work at maintaining our home and property we provide something that will last and can be used to be a blessing for others.

We have a moral obligation to work, so we can provide for ourselves without relying upon others. We also have an obligation to teach our children and grandchildren to work so they too can provide for themselves. God tell us to, “Train up a child in the way he should go…” (Proverbs 22:6) Training a child is more than just teaching him to tie his shoes, ride a bike or go to school and learn to read and write. Training also involves teaching our children how to work. That is what we are doing when we assign them simple chores like making their bed, feeding the dog, taking the trash out, cleaning off the table and other things. They are learning invaluable skills to prepare them to make it on their own.

A prayer for you – Lord God, help us to realize the blessing you have provided to create and build things through working. Help us to be an example to the next generation of the value and joy of labor. In Jesus’ name. Amen.