Pr. Rhoda Klein Miller
Each year on Remembrance Day, we pause to honor the sacrifices of military personnel who have laid down their lives to protect the peace and freedom we and other nations enjoy today. It’s a solemn time for reflection on themes of courage and selfless service.
The Bible teaches us about the immense value of sacrifice in John 15:13, where Jesus says, “Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one’s life for one’s friends.” Soldiers risk everything in the face of danger, motivated by a love for their country and for the people they defend.
Sadly more active duty and veterans in the military will die by suicide than in combat. Higher rates of depression, anxiety and PTSD affect sleep and injury during battle can cause chronic pain. Facilitating interpersonal connection, relationship support, a sense of belonging and time to rest, relax and reflect are measures that seem to counter suicide ideation.
Soldiers often serve with the hope of bringing about peace, but ultimately there is only one Prince of Peace who can ultimately succeed in this goal. Jesus’ love for us drove Him to the cross of Calvary where He bore the weight of sin in order to save us from its death grip. His resurrection assures us of a promised place where there will be no more wars, no more suffering, and no more death (Revelation 21:4). While we live in a broken world, Jesus offers us the hope of a future where all things will be made right. We look forward to the day when there will be no need for further sacrifice.
As we observe Remembrance Day, let’s not only honor the legacy of our nation’s military but also reflect on what it means for us as followers of Christ. May their courage inspire us to live sacrificially, their memory compel us to pursue peace, and their legacy remind us to live lives of gratitude. And above all, may we find hope in the ultimate victory that Christ has won for us, knowing that one day, God will establish His Kingdom of everlasting peace.
This Remembrance Day, let’s bow our heads in prayer for those who serve, giving thanks for the freedoms we enjoy, and commit ourselves to living in a way that honors both God and those who have gone before us.