I grew up in Virginia Beach where there were lots of military families. If you or a family member has served in the military, allow me to say, “Thank you.” I admire, respect, and appreciate your service to our great nation.

I spent a lot of time around military leaders in the Boy Scouts. We had a big troop with 60+ boys. We had several scoutmasters who were colonels and they ran our troop like the military. They made us work on earning our badges and did not tolerate laziness. As a result, we had lots of Eagle Scouts in our troop, including me. In every job interview that I have ever had the interviewer always discussed my Eagle Scout Award.

I have been teaching for a lot of years and have watched many of my former students join the military. It is so great to see them come back wearing their uniform with pride. I have several students who have gone on to become Green Berets. One in particular wanted to see me and apologize for his behavior in my classroom. It was a high honor to shake his hand and let him know all was forgiven and forgotten.

I worry about  the young ladies and men who don their uniforms and put themselves in harm’s way. I have nothing but gratitude and appreciation for their sacrifice and service for our great nation.

I am reminded of the old hymn, “Onward, Christian Soldiers.” We are called by God to join his military family. Living the Christian faith really is a battle with so many trials and temptations that push us away from God. We are promised a victory, but it requires us to stand up and fight. We have to resist the devil before he flees from us. We have to stand on the promises of God if we hope to see them fulfilled. The victor’s crown is given to those who fight the good fight of the faith.

Toby Mac has a great song called, “Move,” with  one line for those who feel like life is beating them down: “Move, keep walkin’ soldier, keep movin’ on, and lift your head, it ain’t over yet, ain’t over yet.” My wife and I were walking through a difficult time recently. When we later talked about how we got through that time, we both mentioned the power of this song to push us and keep us moving.

Soldiers do not operate alone, they work in teams. As Christians we need each other. When we fall down or are facing the many trials of life, we need each other if we hope to overcome and win the battle. We are not in this alone, God is on our side, but we need the family of God to surround us.

The Bible teaches us about the armor of God in Ephesians. We need to learn to protect ourselves and how to use the Word of God to fight our spiritual battles. There is an enemy to our soul who wants to discredit us and destroy our faith. He will send trials and temptations into our lives in order to make us stumble and fall. That’s why we need God’s word and each other.

Some of you are facing overwhelming odds right now. I encourage you to lift your head and look up for your deliverer. I encourage you to take one step forward and keep moving on. We do not give up, because we serve a mighty and powerful God who will fight with us. We have to stir our faith and believe God’s promises to us in His word.

Contact Doug at doug@dougcreamer.com