Watch the Devotion

Based on Romans 5:6-8

It is the highest award for bravery that can be given to an individual in the United States. The deed must be proven by incontestable evidence of at least two eyewitnesses; it must be so outstanding that it clearly distinguishes the recipient’s gallantry above and beyond the call of duty from lesser forms of bravery; it must involve the risk of his or her life.

Since 1862, 297 US Marines have been awarded the Medal of Honor. One of the most recent Marines is Sgt. Dakota Louis Meyer. In 2009, during the war in Afghanistan, Meyer spent six hours traversing in and out of an active combat zone to rescue 36 trapped men and recover the bodies of 4 US service members fallen in an ambush by Taliban fighters. Why did he do it? Meyer said, “That’s what you do for a brother. You don’t leave anyone behind.”

Are you someone who is worth rescuing? Would someone risk his or her life to save yours? There may be some days you do not feel worthy, perhaps because of actions not taken in combat, things you did in training or on deployment. Perhaps to this day you still question orders you were given by command because they violated your moral code, but you carried them out anyway—and this bothers you. Why would someone risk his or her life to save yours?

Someone did deem you worthy. Someone did think you were worth risking his life for. In fact, he put himself in harm’s way and died to save your life.

The apostle Paul in Romans 5:6-8 wrote, “You see, at just the right time, when we were still powerless, Christ died for the ungodly. Very rarely will anyone die for a righteous person, though for a good person someone might possibly dare to die. But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.”

No matter how you feel about your self-worth, know that Jesus laid down his life for you because he loves you. For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty, Jesus Christ, the Son of God, engaged in conflict against an opposing force, and he died so that you might live. Live now with the peace of knowing God loves you. You are worth his Son’s life. You are priceless in his sight.

There’s an application for you that I see depicted on the Navy Medal of Honor. There you see Minerva, the Roman goddess of warfare, holding in her hand a shield with which she repels serpents held by the crouching figure Discord. Because Jesus laid down his life for you, because God loves you, any strife or discord, any chaos, any questions or doubts, are repelled by Jesus’ actions for you. Yes, you are worthy of rescue.

Prayer:

Lord Jesus, how can we thank you for your great sacrifice for us? Help us to live our lives confidently, knowing that because you died and live again, we may live at peace with ourselves and with you. As our United States Marine Corps celebrates its 250th anniversary this week, we ask you to protect our Marines who fight our country’s battles in the air, on land, and on the sea. Raise up faithful officers and enlisted who will fight for right and freedom to keep our nation safe. Amen.

Written and recorded by Rev. Paul Horn, WELS National Civilian Chaplain to the Military, San Diego, California.

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