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Military Devotion – Where Is Your Name Written – August 22, 2025
Watch the Devotion
Based on Hebrews 12:22-24
Where is your name written?
I remember visiting my brother-in-law’s unit when he was a battalion commander. His name was right there—outside the headquarters building—bold, official, permanent-looking.
I recently toured an aircraft carrier with the ship’s chaplain. He made sure to point out—in not one but two places—where the name and picture of a sailor friend of mine, a Chief Warrant Officer 3, were displayed for everyone to see.
Some of you know that feeling. Maybe your name is engraved on a plaque, printed on a door, or listed in an awards case.
For others, it’s your DD214. That document matters. It opens the door to benefits, medical care, discounts. But even more—it says you served your country.
But maybe your name doesn’t show up in places you’re proud of. You didn’t make it a career. You didn’t climb the ranks. Maybe there’s a report or a record with your name on it that you wish no one would ever see.
Or maybe these days the only place your name shows up is on the bills in your mailbox.
But there’s one place your name is written, and it’s the one place that really matters.
It’s not there because you were flawless. It’s not there because you checked all the boxes.
It’s not there because you served long enough or sacrificed enough.
It’s there because of Jesus.
Your name is written in heaven.
Hebrews 12:22-24 says: “But you have come to Mount Zion, to the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem. You have come to thousands upon thousands of angels in joyful assembly, to the church of the firstborn, whose names are written in heaven. You have come to God, the Judge of all, to the spirits of the righteous made perfect, to Jesus the mediator of a new covenant, and to the sprinkled blood.”
“Mount Zion”—that’s another name for heaven. “The city of the living God”—the place where God himself dwells forever.
There are thousands upon thousands of angels there. They’re celebrating, praising God because he kept his promises to humankind. Because Christ came. Because sins are forgiven. Because your names are written in heaven.
And that city is the “church of the firstborn”—you are heirs to the mansions Jesus prepared, the streets of gold, the river of life, and most of all—the presence of God himself. You are those heirs. This is your inheritance.
We have come “to God, the Judge of all” . . . but we do not need to be afraid to stand before God. Why not? Because we’ve also come “to Jesus the mediator of a new covenant, and to the sprinkled blood.”
His blood shed on the cross speaks louder than your failures, louder than your regrets, louder than any accusation from Satan himself. It cries out to the Father: “This one is innocent. I have paid for their sins in full.”
So no matter where your name is written here on earth—on a building, in a service record, even on a document of shame—know this: Your name is written in heaven.
And no court, no commanding officer, no bad decision, no enemy—can erase it. It is written in Jesus’ blood. It is written forever.
Find your comfort there. Find your confidence there. Find your hope there—today and every day. You name is written in heaven.
Prayer:
Lord Jesus, mediator of the new covenant, you have written our names in heaven by your blood. Thank you for this gift of grace. Guard and keep all who serve in our armed forces and comfort their families with the unshakable truth that no enemy can blot their names from the book of life. Especially watch over all university and college students enrolled in ROTC. Grant them wisdom and understanding. Grow them into strong servant leaders. Keep them connected to you. Amen.
Written and recorded by Rev. Paul Horn, WELS National Civilian Chaplain to the Military, San Diego, California.
All Scripture quotations, unless otherwise indicated, are taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV®. Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.™ Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved worldwide. Note: Scripture reading footnotes are clickable only in the web version.
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By WELS Special Ministries
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Watch the Devotion
Based on Hebrews 12:22-24
Where is your name written?
I remember visiting my brother-in-law’s unit when he was a battalion commander. His name was right there—outside the headquarters building—bold, official, permanent-looking.
I recently toured an aircraft carrier with the ship’s chaplain. He made sure to point out—in not one but two places—where the name and picture of a sailor friend of mine, a Chief Warrant Officer 3, were displayed for everyone to see.
Some of you know that feeling. Maybe your name is engraved on a plaque, printed on a door, or listed in an awards case.
For others, it’s your DD214. That document matters. It opens the door to benefits, medical care, discounts. But even more—it says you served your country.
But maybe your name doesn’t show up in places you’re proud of. You didn’t make it a career. You didn’t climb the ranks. Maybe there’s a report or a record with your name on it that you wish no one would ever see.
Or maybe these days the only place your name shows up is on the bills in your mailbox.
But there’s one place your name is written, and it’s the one place that really matters.
It’s not there because you were flawless. It’s not there because you checked all the boxes.
It’s not there because you served long enough or sacrificed enough.
It’s there because of Jesus.
Your name is written in heaven.
Hebrews 12:22-24 says: “But you have come to Mount Zion, to the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem. You have come to thousands upon thousands of angels in joyful assembly, to the church of the firstborn, whose names are written in heaven. You have come to God, the Judge of all, to the spirits of the righteous made perfect, to Jesus the mediator of a new covenant, and to the sprinkled blood.”
“Mount Zion”—that’s another name for heaven. “The city of the living God”—the place where God himself dwells forever.
There are thousands upon thousands of angels there. They’re celebrating, praising God because he kept his promises to humankind. Because Christ came. Because sins are forgiven. Because your names are written in heaven.
And that city is the “church of the firstborn”—you are heirs to the mansions Jesus prepared, the streets of gold, the river of life, and most of all—the presence of God himself. You are those heirs. This is your inheritance.
We have come “to God, the Judge of all” . . . but we do not need to be afraid to stand before God. Why not? Because we’ve also come “to Jesus the mediator of a new covenant, and to the sprinkled blood.”
His blood shed on the cross speaks louder than your failures, louder than your regrets, louder than any accusation from Satan himself. It cries out to the Father: “This one is innocent. I have paid for their sins in full.”
So no matter where your name is written here on earth—on a building, in a service record, even on a document of shame—know this: Your name is written in heaven.
And no court, no commanding officer, no bad decision, no enemy—can erase it. It is written in Jesus’ blood. It is written forever.
Find your comfort there. Find your confidence there. Find your hope there—today and every day. You name is written in heaven.
Prayer:
Lord Jesus, mediator of the new covenant, you have written our names in heaven by your blood. Thank you for this gift of grace. Guard and keep all who serve in our armed forces and comfort their families with the unshakable truth that no enemy can blot their names from the book of life. Especially watch over all university and college students enrolled in ROTC. Grant them wisdom and understanding. Grow them into strong servant leaders. Keep them connected to you. Amen.
Written and recorded by Rev. Paul Horn, WELS National Civilian Chaplain to the Military, San Diego, California.
All Scripture quotations, unless otherwise indicated, are taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV®. Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.™ Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved worldwide. Note: Scripture reading footnotes are clickable only in the web version.