Are You a Soldier?

I am a soldier in the army of my God. The Lord Jesus Christ is my Commanding Officer, the Holy Bible is my code of conduct. Faith, prayer and the Word are my weapons of warfare. I have been taught by the Holy Spirit, trained by experience, tried by adversity, and tested by fire. I am a volunteer in this army, and I am enlisted for eternity. I will either retire in this army or die in this army, but I will not get out, sell out, be talked out of, or be pushed out. I am faithful, reliable, capable, and dependable. When my God needs me, I am there. I am a soldier, I am not a baby. I do not need to be pampered, petted, picked up, or pepped up. I am a soldier! No one has to call me, remind me, write me, visit me, entice me, or lure me, I am a soldier! I am not a wimp, I am in place saluting my King, obeying His orders, praising His name, building His Kingdom. No one has to send me flowers, gifts, food, cards, candy, or give me handouts. I do not need to be cuddled, cradled, cared for, or catered to, I am committed! I cannot have my feelings hurt bad enough to turn me around. I cannot be discouraged enough to turn me aside, I cannot lose enough to cause me to quit. When Jesus called me into this army I had nothing, if I end up with nothing, I will come out even. I will WIN! My God will supply all my needs. I am more than a conqueror. I will always triumph. I can do all things through Christ. Devils cannot defeat me, people cannot disillusion me, weather cannot weary me, sickness cannot stop me, battles cannot beat me, money cannot buy me, government cannot silence me, Hell cannot handle me, I am a soldier! Even death cannot destroy me, for when my Commander calls me from the battlefield He will promote me to Captain. I am a soldier in the army. I am marching, claiming victory! I will not turn around, I am a soldier! Heaven bound, here I stand, will you stand with me? Are you a soldier?

..."the race is not to the swift, nor the battle to the strong..."

We just returned from a trip around the US and were able to catch up with many old friends we had not seen in about twenty years, since graduating from Bible college in 1991. It was interesting to see that those who may have been written off humanly speaking, are often the ones who are at the forefront of the spiritual battle we are all fighting: pastoring churches, leading ministries, working in missions, etc.

Some of the people I thought were once on fire for the Lord, who had everything going for them, natural born leaders, wit, brains...people I could see leading a sweeping revival across America...are not even in the ministry anymore. Erasing every Christian identification from themselves, they work in a worldly field...promoting a cigarette company, selling casinos trinkets, or some other small task that they have settled to complete. They no longer serve the mighty King of kings, and their focus is no longer on working for their old Master until He returns.

The pilgrim way is rough..full of blessings, accomplishable in Christ, free from regrets...but it is still a hard way. There are pilgrims who leave the way, Christians who make shipwreck, and children who go astray and roam far from the will of God. Only God knows the heart. God knew who would follow Him, and who would serve Him all the days of their lives. He takes the weak things of the world and makes them strong building blocks that He works with here on earth to accomplish eternal works in heaven. It was sad to see some people I was so impressed by, who I thought could make great strides for God, wasted by the world into an ineffectual nothing for the Lord..but also encouraging to think that in Him we can do all things. He can take nothing, and mold it into something useable...someone who will allow Him to work through themselves and create a lasting work of God.

Psalms 119: 73-80

“They that fear thee will be glad when they see me; because I have hoped in thy word.” (v. 74)

Twice in this passage we see the importance of fellowship with the people of God. We need each other, as well as the guidance of the love of God. To see someone that is serious about serving the Lord is always a blessing to me, and who do you think I ask to pray for special needs? Those who I know walk with the Lord. The prayer of the psalmist is that God’s people will “turn” unto him, and unite with him in the service of the Lord. We have much in common, after all, and ought to act as if we do. Romans 12:10 tells us, “Be kindly affectioned one to another with brotherly love; in honour preferring one another;” so even Paul tells us to prefer, or desire the company of our brothers and sisters in Christ. (Emphasis is mine.)

I am reminded of my army days, and of the camaraderie that is found among soldiers who suffer the same fates. Many times, through suffering together, we “bond” with others who have struggled with us. It seems that there is a closeness, because they understand each others’ fears, and joys, and sorrows. Often, when we were off duty, we sought out those “buddies” who we had been through much tribulation of some sort or another with, and we became good friends. It is the same in the bus ministry, by the way. Bus workers understand the heart of a bus worker, and they all sacrifice together, and “suffer” if you will, the same “afflictions”. This brings them closer together, many times, so that “They that fear thee will be glad when they see me” as our text verse says, and all because we have, together, “hoped in” His Word.

Let’s desire the companionship of one another, as brothers and sisters in Christ. Let’s “honor” one another, and be kind to one another, and “prefer” the company of one another, and we will please the Lord in that one thing at least.