The Supreme Sacrifice

By Richard (Dick) Innes, Daily Encounter Friday, November 09, 2007

Jesus said, "Greater love has no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends."1

On November 11, 1918, "World War I ended when Germany, bereft of manpower, supplies and food, signed an armistice agreement. The war's tolls were at least 10 million dead, 6 million of them civilians, and 21 million wounded."

How tragic and insane war is. The carnage, the killing, the maiming for life, the emotional trauma and scars, the grief of loved ones all because one man or a few men have an insatiable thirst for power with the grandiose dream of conquering and ruling the world or a significant part of it.

But thank God that when such men rise to power, that our young men and women rise up to defend the rest of us and are willing to sacrifice their life in order to save ours.

Today we remember all service men and women with much thanksgiving and grateful hearts. Where would so many of us be today had it not been for these dedicated young men and women?
As another has said so well:

"It is the soldier, not the reporter,
Who has given us freedom of the press.
It is the soldier, not the poet,
Who has given us freedom of speech.
It is the soldier, not the campus organizer,
Who has given us the freedom to demonstrate.
It is the soldier,
Who salutes the flag,
Who serves beneath the flag,
And whose coffin is draped by the flag,
Who allows the protestor to burn the flag."

Suggested prayer: "Dear God, from those of us who have the wonderful privilege of living in a free country, we thank you for the multiplied thousands of service men and woman who put their lives on the line and for those who gave their lives in order to save ours. And we thank you for the wonderful freedom that we have as a result. May we never take these blessings and privileges for granted. Thank you for hearing and answering my prayer. Gratefully in Jesus' name, amen."

1. John 15:13.

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