Military life never crossed my mind during the first 20+ years of my life. For the rural area I grew up in, Grampa was the local Constable, Uncle Tom was the Fire Chief, and Dad served on the local fire department – responding to fires and keeping the trucks and equipment running. These men provided security for me and for our neighbors.

Then, in my 20s, I had the privilege of working for a company that provided insurance and financial services to military families. I discovered quickly that the company literally protected the military personnel who protected us U.S. citizens. My eyes were quickly opened to the sacrifices of military life. These men, women and families turned over control of their schedules and their lives. They lived on bases where they were told. They moved whenever orders came. And they “deployed.” That was a new word to me, but it soon became a very weighty word.

Deployment meant somebody was leaving (mom, dad, son, daughter, brother, sister) and somebody was staying behind. Deployment meant separation. In times of conflict, there was always the silent, lingering question: How long will this separation last? It could be a few months or years…or forever. I distinctly remember watching the TV news when an anchor announced that we were actively engaged in Desert Storm. My stomach tightened. My heart sank. The truth dropped on me like a bomb. People could die. The longest separation for a family left behind. The ultimate sacrifice.

Yet it is because our military families make a thousand sacrifices the rest of us never see that we have enjoyed 250 years of remarkable freedom and security. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you.

As great as their sacrifices are, there is Another who made a far greater sacrifice, which made possible a far greater security. Jesus, the head of the “Lord’s Army,” deployed to earth at the command of the Father. He went to the front lines, battled the forces of darkness by healing body and spirit, by speaking Words that rendered the Enemy powerless. Jesus freed the physically and spiritually captive. He brought security to orphan and widow, to fisherman and farmer, to tax collector and teacher of the law. Then and now – all who surrender to and listen to Jesus – immediately step into the joy of unbounded Eternal Security.

Eternal Security reaches from heaven to earth. It spans our earthly “now” through our heavenly “forever.” Jesus’ sacrifice on the cross destroyed the fear of death for all who believe in Him because, when we close our eyes here, we open them in eternity. To be away from the body is to be at home with the Lord. Eternal security is not just relevant to our future. It means that — right now — we believers can trust Jesus to work out every situation in our lives for His good purposes. If ever we are tempted to doubt that, we need only look at His ultimate sacrifice on the cross for reassurance.

Thank you, military families, for the sacrifices you make that give our nation security.

Thank you, Jesus, for the ultimate sacrifice that gives all who believe in you as Lord and Savior – the ultimate and all-encompassing security.

If you have never surrendered your life to Jesus — and want to — simply tell Jesus that.

Dear Jesus,
You are the only all-powerful, all-loving God.
As God, you have ultimate authority over my life.
I am sorry that I have tried to control things and live my own way, not yours.
Please forgive me.
Jesus thank you for your death on the cross that paid the cost for all I have done wrong.
Now I turn control over to you and invite your Holy Spirit to lead me in a new life.
Thank you for eternal security, starting now and going on forever.
Amen