Introductory Thoughts
Dedicated soldiers are a dying breed, especially amongst Christians. Few people endure when the going gets tough or obstacles surface. The average Christian believes that God’s will involves no hurdles. In the secular world, drill sergeants, employers, and teachers spend a great deal of time and effort trying to instill discipline into those who grew up lacking character with little desire to succeed. This lack of character affects us all. Good soldiers endure hardness. They do not quit in the service of the Lord because of trials and tribulations. Neither do they allow themselves to be entangled in the affairs of this life. Their main desire is to please the very one who chose them to be a soldier in the first place.
Devotional Thoughts
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(For children): Read about Davids mighty men (2 Samuel 23:8-12). They did not quit during hard battles. God does not want us to quit serving Him when we have troubles (1 Kings 2:2-3; 1 Corinthians 16:13; 2 Thessalonians 2:15).
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(For everyone): What might be some of the difficulties faced by a soldier in the armed forces? What would a drill sergeant do to prepare a soldier to endure these difficulties? What should we do to be better soldiers?
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How does a soldier who quits lose the confidence of his fellow soldiers? How could you lose the confidence of brothers and sister in Christ when you quit on the Lord?
Prayer Thoughts
- Thank the Lord for calling you to be a soldier.
- Ask the Lord to help you endure hardness.
Song
Am I a Soldier of the Cross?
