War has Casualties

Photo by the U.S. Army

Scripture: 1 Samuel 31:2-3

The Philistines overtook Saul and his sons; and the Philistines killed Jonathan and Abinadab and Malchi-shua the sons of Saul.  The battle went heavily against Saul, and the archers hit him; and he was badly wounded by the archers.

Insights: Even back in verse one we learned that many Israelites lost their lives.  In today’s verses we learn that Saul’s three sons also lost their lives and Saul was badly wounded.  The point I want us to remember regarding war is that there are always casualties.  People die in war.  Civilians die, military personnel die, the innocent die and the guilty die.  Death is an aspect of war, period.  Here in the United States of America our freedom was purchased with blood.  To this very day, our freedom is still maintained by blood.  We have foes that battle against us and they have one intent and that is to destroy our way of life.  Our military forces protect these freedom here and abroad.  In regards to our spiritual freedoms, we must also understand that these freedoms were also purchased with blood.  Jesus Christ, God’s Son, died on a cross to pay the penalty for our sin debt.  Even since Christ’s resurrection, church history has been filled with the blood of the saints.  We also know from the book of Revelation the blood of the saints will be spilt throughout earthly time.  As a result of Jesus’ faithfulness and the faithfulness of His children, we know we experience spiritual freedoms.  I challenge you this day to reflect and be thankful for those fallen heroes who have given us the national freedom and the eternal freedom we experience every day.

Questions:

1. Have you personally known someone who has fallen in spiritual war in which we battle?

2. In what ways can you support the families of those who have become casualties in both earthly war as well as spiritual war?

Prayer: Father, thank You for those who have paid the ultimate price for the earthly and spiritual freedoms with which I experience.  May I never take for granted the freedoms I have. Amen.

If you have found this blog to be helpful, please forward it in Facebook or retweet it in Twitter.  If you have a comment you would like to make regarding this Thoughts by Scott, please feel free to live your thoughts.   Thank you.