Veterans Day 2017. It’s a day when we celebrate and remember all those who have served in the Armed Forces. My husband did. He’s a proud former Marine. He attends the Veterans Day Parade every year in downtown Boise and loves to get with others who shared like experiences.
My father never served in the military, although he was a young man during WWII. He tried to join but was told he was too valuable at home as a shipfitter. He worked at the Mare Island Naval Yard on the wounded ships returning from battles in the Pacific. After the war he went to the Philadelphia Naval Yard to help restore the Navy’s fleet. I think one of his greatest disappointments in life was that he couldn’t serve. I don’t think he ever realized how valuable his work was.
1 Samuel 30 tells the story of the time the Amalekites raided Ziklag where David was staying while he waited for the kingdom to become his. While David and his fighting men were away, the Amalekites carried off all who remained in the city. Upon his return, David and the men set off to reclaim what was theirs. Some of the men became exhausted in the pursuit and stayed behind with the supplies while others continued. Those overtook the Amalekites and rescued their own. When they returned to where they had left the supplies some didn’t want to share the spoils with those who had remained there. David, however, set an ordinance in place. “The share of the man who stayed with the supplies is to be the same as that of him who went down to the battle. All will share alike.” [vs 24 NIV]
Oh, beloved of God, we too will share. Not only will we share in the inheritance in Christ Jesus – as if that isn’t enough – we will also share in the kingdom rewards. We can’t all be missionaries or have powerful ministries, but when we’ve given even a little of time or money or prayers, we will have a share in what is done to bring God’s kingdom here on earth as it is in heaven. Whether you have guarded the supplies or “went down to the battle,” all will have a share.
