What We Can Learn From A Veteran?

Veteran's Day 2023

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What Can We Learn From A Veteran

By Darrell Williams

Summary: We Can Learn a Lot from a Veteran

Text: Psalm 91

Psalm 91 is a psalm of confidence:

Oh, how we need confidence in God in these stressful times!

In times when we are facing journeys that we would not have chosen.

Many of you would have chosen a different path than the one you currently walk.

Certainly I would not have chosen the journey of prostate cancer — but God didn’t give me a choice — He chose my journey for me.

And on that journey I will trust God.

I will depend on Him to lead me into the right decisions that will accomplish His purpose.

I will depend on Him to deliver me from the snare of the trapper, the arrow that flies by day, the lion and the cobra.

I WILL abide in the shadow of the Almighty.

I WILL dwell in the shelter of the Most High.

I pray this morning that we ALL choose to have confidence in Almighty God.

And look to Him to be our refuge and fortress.

This psalm offers security for God’s children—

those who commit themselves to his plans and protection and who live with a constant awareness of God’s presence.

The more time we spend communicating with Christ, learning from His Word and serving His purposes, the greater our peace.

Also, we are more likely to recognize and experience a greater sense of freedom in times of trouble and danger.

Freedom FROM fear.

Freedom TO worship.

Freedom to be THANKFUL for all He DOES do for us.

Psa 91 is sometimes called “The Soldier’s Psalm” because it emphasizes Yahweh’s protection of people in times of crisis.

In this Psalm we hear 3 voices speak in succession.

In verse 1-8 we hear the psalm open with an individual proclaiming his trust in Yahweh.

Then, in verses 9-13, an audience speaks to that individual, and describes Yahweh’s protection and care.

The psalm concludes in verses 14-16 with Yahweh speaking about the blessings received by the faithful person;

He promises to protect him.

So, this morning I believe God will use His word and our Veterans, to remind us not only that we are all at war — but that God is with us in each battle of this war.

We are at war physically, mentally, and spiritually.

Ephesians 6:12 (NASB95) states that, … our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the powers, against the world forces of this darkness, against the spiritual forces of wickedness in the heavenly places.

Yes, we are in spiritual warfare.

And one of the ways we can win this battle, is to figure out “What We Can Learn from a Veteran.”

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A VETERAN FOCUSES ON WHERE THEIR PROTECTION COMES FROM (V.1-8)

First of all, a veteran focuses on the source of their protection and victory.

In Vs. 1-8 we hear an individual proclaiming his trust in Yahweh (vv. 1–8).

Right at the beginning we see four different names for God:

Most High

Almighty

the Lord (or, more accurately, Yahweh, the covenant Name of God to His people)

MY God

The Fire Bible tells us that … Each of these Names describe different aspects of His protection.

(1) “Most High” shows Him to be greater than any threat we face (cf. Ge 14:19);

(2) “Almighty” emphasizes His power to confront and destroy every enemy (cf. Ex 6:3);

(3) “the Lord” assures us that as the leader and authority in our lives, His presence and guidance are always with us;

and

(4) “my God” expresses the truth that God has chosen us and we have chosen Him

We have chosen to have a deep, personal relationship and trust in Him.

As we look at the testimony of the psalmist in verse 1-8, and on through verse 13 we may wonder at, what seems like, a life without any problems.

Not so!

God’s children face many situations and challenges.

In Vs. 15 God tells us that He will bee with us in trouble.

Jesus said in: John 16:33 (LSB) “… In the world you have tribulation, but take courage; I have overcome the world.”

This Psalm not withstanding, God has NOT promised us total protection from peril,

but He has promised His presence in and through all things.

He will be with us, and He will help us

As Hebrews 13:5–6 (LSB) tells us: … He Himself has said, “I WILL NEVER DESERT YOU, NOR WILL I EVER FORSAKE YOU,” 6 so that we confidently say, “THE LORD IS MY HELPER, I WILL NOT BE AFRAID. WHAT WILL MAN DO TO ME?”

So, verses 7-10 remind us that nothing can happen to a faithful servant of God unless God allows it.

And if God allows it, He will use it for His purposes and His glory.

This truth does not mean there will never be unpleasant or difficult times.

Rom 8:35–37 outline some of those rough times: affliction, or turmoil, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword?

But as long as we obey and depend on God as the leader, authority and source of refuge in our lives, He will work through everything that happens to us for our good (see Ro 8:28, note).

Romans 8:28 (Phillips)… we know that to those who love God, who are called according to His plan, everything that happens fits into a pattern for good.

The Veteran of many trials and battles in verse 1-8 knows that our natural life is preserved from many dangers which are very threatening,

By faith, a Veteran chooses God as their guardian

A veteran knows its not an alarm system, a knife, a gun, martial arts that is the ultimate protection — it is God.

A true veteran of God knows FAITH in Him is what makes the difference in the outcome.

As Hebrews 11:1 says: Now faith is confidence in what we hope for, and assurance about what we do not see.

A VETERAN FOCUSES ON PROMISES AND NOT PROBLEMS (V. 9-13)

Yes, faith leads a veteran to focus on God’s promises — not the problems of our lives.

In verse 9-13 we hear an audience speak to the individual of verses 1-8 and describe Yahweh’s protection and care (vv. 9–13).

A Veteran knows that they are being watched by holy angels,

We have the promise of Hebrews 1:14 (LSB) Are [angels] not all ministering spirits, sent to render service for the sake of those who will inherit salvation?

A Veteran knows that they will succeed over their enemies, so they walk in total confidence with God .

Scripture says that the new covenant is established on better promises than the old (He. 8:6).

Whereas Israel was promised God’s conditional protection, we are promised God’s unconditional presence.

Under the old covenant, the people had to dwell in God.

Under the new covenant, God dwells in us.

There is no comparison.

TRANS: James 2:17-18 says: In the same way, faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead. But someone will say, “You have faith; I have deeds.” Show me your faith without deeds, and I will show you my faith by my deeds.

A VETERAN FOCUSES ON DOING THEIR PART TO ACHIEVE VICTORY (V.14-16)

A veteran knows that faith and works go hand-in-hand.

In verse 14-16, we see what that means as the psalm concludes with Yahweh speaking about the faithful person; how He promises to protect him.

Here the Lord Himself speaks to his faithful followers.

Because they truly love Him, He Himself promises to come to their aid in times of trouble.

The key to receiving God’s protective care is a heart that is passionately committed to the Lord and grateful for everything He is as well as everything He does.

God knows who such people are.

He will be with them in trouble. He hears their prayers; he meets their needs. In fact, he gives them power to live fulfilling lives characterized by, distinguished by, His presence (see Jn 14:12–21; 15:1–10).

A Veteran will make sure that they know God and by any means necessary, they will make sure that God knows them

A Veteran will show their love towards God with pleasure and will fix their love on him so much, that they will never let anyone or anything, get in the way of it.

A Veteran will call on God through prayer, keep constant correspondence with him, and in every difficult situation, defer to God.

Yes, Psalm 91 closes with a message from the LORD Himself.

He affirms the promises of His covenant.

He personally assures that He will honor and reward the faithful person who, as the KJV says: “sets his love on Him.”

That phrase “Set his love upon” (chashaq) is not the usual Hebrew word for love.

It is seldom used in the Old Testament, and it means to cling to, be attached to, or be devoted to.

Love and acknowledge Him:

Cling to, be attached to, be devoted to God.

And He will deliver, protect, and exalt you (v. 14).

The LORD promised to faithfully care for the person who is devoted to Him and KNOWS (yada) His name, that is, who has a genuine, personal relationship with Him.

He pledged to deliver him from danger and set him on high.

Set on high (sagab) can mean either to put in a protected, inaccessible place or to exalt.

Call upon Him and He will answer you (vv. 15–16).

Special blessings are promised to those who cling to the LORD.

When we call on God, He promises to answer us (v. 15).

He will be with us in times of trouble and will deliver and honor us.

Long life was one of the most coveted blessings in Old Testament times.

God promised to reward those who cling to Him not only with this gift but also with a satisfying and fulfilling life (v. 16; De. 30:20).

Then, when the believer’s time on earth comes to an end, the LORD promises to show him His salvation.

Thus, the believer will see and enjoy the most precious promise of all: eternal life in God’s presence.

Think about this:

God is good to all people, even those who do not know Him. Jesus said in Mt. 5:45 that, the good and the evil alike enjoy the blessings and the benefits of the sun and the rain.

But for all who truly follow Him, He is a loving Father and He delights in giving them good things (Lu. 11:9–13).

And His richest blessings are reserved for those who love Him most, those who know Him best and cling to Him.

With that in mind, we should love the Lord with our entire being—all of our heart, soul, mind, and strength (Mk. 12:30).

How can we grow in our love for God?

First, by simply asking Him to help us understand His love, just how much He loves us:

Paul prayed in Ephesians 3:17–19 (LSB): … that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith; and that you, being firmly rooted and grounded in love, 18 may be able to comprehend with all the saints what is the breadth and length and height and depth, 19 and to know the love of Christ which surpasses knowledge, that you may be filled up to all the fullness of God.

Second, we should ask God to help us understand His gift of forgiveness.

Once we grasp the greatness of our sin, we can fully appreciate Christ’s sacrifice and the forgiveness we have received through Him.

Jesus said that the woman who poured the precious oil on His feet loved Him much because she had been forgiven much.

We will grow in our devotion to the Lord when we realize the full measure of our sinfulness as depraved human beings and the full measure of God’s love in forgiving us.

Third, we should study God’s Word diligently and meditate on it that we might know Him better (Jn. 17:3; Ph. 3:10; 2 Pe. 3:18).

The better we know the Lord, the more we will love Him.

Do You Have Confidence In God?

In closing, remember this:

WE ARE ALL IN SPIRITUAL WARFARE AND WE NEED TO LEARN FROM THE ULTIMATE VETERAN—WHICH WAS JESUS CHRIST

HE FOCUSED ON WHERE HIS PROTECTION CAME FROM -- HIS FATHER

HE FOCUSED ON THE PROMISES -- THAT RESULTED FROM HIS ACTION ON THE CROSS

HE FOCUSED ON DOING HIS PART TO ACHIEVE VICTORY -- THRU THE RESURRECTION; HE ROSE AFTER 3 DAYS WITH ALL POWER, AND GAVE US AN OPPORTUNITY FOR SALVATION.

Maybe you are going through a great battle today.

Will you turn to Jesus?

Repent of your sins?

Surrender your life to Him?

Cling to, be attached to, be devoted to God?

Do you need to come forward for salvation or prayer?

May God Bless You, May God Bless Our Veterans, and May God Bless the United States of America.