On Veterans' Day

I Peter 2.13-17 Be subject for the Lord's sake to every human institution, whether it be to the emperor as supreme, ¹⁴ or to governors as sent by him to punish those who do evil and to praise those who do good. ¹⁵ For this is the will of God, that by doing good you should put to silence the ignorance of foolish people. ¹⁶ Live as people who are free, not using your freedom as a cover-up for evil, but living as servants of God. ¹⁷ Honor everyone. Love the brotherhood. Fear God. Honor the emperor.

Excerpts from “Whether Soldiers, Too, Can Be Saved”

“Do not be tempted to think of yourself as though you were the Turkish Sultan (overly eager for blood & power).  Wait until the situation compels you to fight when you have no desire to do so…you will be able to say with heartfelt sincerity, ‘How I would like to have peace.  If only my neighbors wanted it too!’ Then you can defend yourself with a good conscience, for God’s word says, ‘He scatters the peoples who delight in war.’  Look at the real soldiers, those who have played the game of war. They are not quick to draw their sword, they are not contentious; they have no desire to fight.  But when someone forces them to fight, watch out!  They are not playing games.  Their sword is tight in the sheath, but if they have to draw, it does not return bloodless to the scabbard. …For it is God who does the deeds; he desires peace and is the enemy of those who start wars and break the peace.

…Even though you are absolutely certain that you are not starting a war but are being forced into one, you should still fear God and remember him.  You should not march out to war saying, ‘Ah, now I have been forced to fight and have good cause for going to war.’ You ought not to think that that justifies anything you do and plunge headlong into battle.  It is indeed true that you have a really good reason to go to war and to defend yourself, but that does not give you God’s guarantee that you will win. …for God cannot endure such pride and confidence except in a man who humbles himself before him and fears him.

…God wants to be feared and he wants to hear us sing from our hearts a song like this, ‘Dear Lord, you see that I have to go to war, though I would rather not.  I do not trust, however, in the justice of my cause, but in your grace and mercy, for I know that if I were to rely on the justness of my cause and were confident because of it, you would rightly let me fall as one whose fall was just, because I relied upon my being right and not upon your sheer grace and kindness.’” (Luther’s Works, American Edition, volume 46, p.119-123, Fortress Press/Philadelphia, 1967)

Prayer: Gracious and almighty Father, thank you for your mercy in Christ, for your will to protect good and punish evil, and for those who have given military service to our nation. For those who serve now, grant them confidence and humility for their calling that they may perform their duties well.  Keep their minds and bodies pure.  Protect them, continually teach them honor, and make them effective witnesses to you. For those who have retired from military service, grant them the reward of a race well run, a fight well fought.  Relieve them any guilt; guard them from arrogance or bitterness, and draw them always to you. I ask this in the name of the one who has won ultimate victory over our sin, death and the devil; your Son, our Lord, Jesus Christ. Amen.

The Fifth Commandment: You shall not kill

What does this mean?

We should fear and love God so that we do our neighbors no bodily harm nor cause them any suffering, but help and befriend them in every need.

“Give us this day our daily bread…”

What does this mean?

God indeed gives daily bread to all sinners, even without our prayer, but we pray in this petition that he would help us to recognize this so that we would receive our daily bread with thanksgiving.

What is meant by daily bread?

Daily bread includes everything required to meet our earthly needs, such as food, drink, clothing, home, property, employment, necessities, devout parents, children, and communities, honest and faithful authorities, good government, seasonable weather, peace, health, an orderly society, a good reputation, true friends and neighbors, and the like. (from The Small Catechism, by Martin Luther, ©Reclaim Resources, Sola Publishing, 2011)

Benediction: The Lord bless you and keep you. The Lord make his face to shine upon you and be gracious to you. The Lord look upon you with favor and give you his peace. Amen.