Isaiah 53:5
“But He was wounded for our transgressions, He was bruised for our iniquities; the chastisement for our peace was upon Him, and by His stripes we are healed.”
During my military career I was awarded numerous medals. I must confess that most of them were simply for having served in a particular area or at a particular time. None of my medals were for meritorious service of any kind.
From time to time I would see a purple medal or ribbon on the chest of a fellow service member. I immediately knew that individual had been wounded by enemy fire. Sometimes the Purple Heart Medal has even been awarded posthumously when the individual was killed in battle.
There have also been many Spiritual casualties across the centuries. Many of God’s saints have been tortured for the faith and some have paid the ultimate sacrifice. The book of Hebrews, chapter 11, is full of the names of saints who won God’s Purple Heart.
As we consider believers of all ages who have, and are today, putting their very lives on the firing line for the Gospel of Jesus Christ, what should we be doing? Are we running into the fray or hiding in some corner? FIGHT FOR THE LORD!
May God richly bless you as you bless others by your words and actions!
– – – Pastor Cecil