the heroes that emerged from the chaos that has recently gripped Ottawa, and our country.
These courageous men and women ran toward the danger, not away from it. They faced gun
fire from a deranged individual. Starting at the War Memorial, many gathering around
Nathan Cirillo, (the soldier who was shot twice at close range), trying desperately to save
his life; including Barbra Winters, a passerby who spoke so lovingly to him as he lay dying.
More stories of heroism; one MP was pinned to a wall by an officer in the hallway, who told
him not to worry because he would shield him with his bullet-proof vest. Another rushing to
barricade a door to a room which held one of the gathered parliamentary caucuses. Using
his own body as an added shield against that barred door, he told the frightened people in
the room to take cover under the tables and chairs; he remained against that door even as
a bullet found its way through it. The construction worker who was working at the back of
of the Parliament building, who brought people safely to the ground from an upper office
window. And no one will ever forget the images of Kevin Vickers, the Sergeant-at-arms,
who went far beyond his ceremonial duty that day to aid in the take down of the gunman.
As Christians, we too have those faithful saints of God, heroes of the faith, who deserve our
recognition for what they mean to our Christian heritage. They were persecuted, ridiculed,
ostracised, murdered, but they stood strong for the Lord in the face of evil. Here's just a few.
We find a humble shepherd who lived in Midian, minding the flock of his father-in-law
Jethro. Yet it is this man Moses that God chooses to lead His chosen people, the Children
of Israel out of bondage in Egypt. We find the words of God to Moses in Exodus 3:10
"Come now therefore, and I will send thee unto Pharaoh, that thou mayest bring forth
my people the children of Israel out of Egypt." For the next 40 years Moses led the
Israelites.
Joshua was appointed as leader after the death of Moses, here is what God said to him
in Joshua 1:9 "Have not I commanded thee? Be strong and of a good courage; be
not afraid, neither be thou dismayed; for the LORD thy God is with thee whither-
soever thou goest." Joshua was the one that was privileged to lead the children of
Israel into the chosen land. He fought on the frontlines in the war against the enemies
of God until his death at the age of 110.
We read of Queen Esther, who at the risk of death, came before King Ahasuerus and
pleaded for her people, the nation of Israel. Because of her bravery the Bible tells us
in Esther 8:16, "The Jews had light, and gladness, and joy, and honour."
The list goes on and on; Job, who faced the loss of all, but kept his faith in God; King
David, the mighty warrior king, who was known for being "A man after God's own heart";
he brought the Ark of the Covenant back where it belonged, to the Tabernacle within the
Nation of Israel; the Old Testament prophets, who proclaimed the Word of God against
much opposition. Then there is Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, who all refused to
worship the golden image that King Nebuchadnezzar had built; Daniel, who continued to
pray to God 3 times a day despite the decree that King Darius had made. Then we have
the disciples in the New Testament, who history tells us were all martyred for their faith in
God. We find in Hebrews 11, what is referred to as the Christian Hall of Faith, a list of
Christians who refused to renounce the name of Christ and were killed in cold blood for
their stand for truth and righteousness.
We have women of the faith who took a stand for God as well. Anna, Lydia, Mary,
Martha, Ruth, Tabitha, Deborah, Miriam, and Sarah to name but a few.
We are in a Spiritual warfare. These early Christians, our forefathers of the faith,
were in every sense of the word, heroes. One way to honor them, for the stand they
took in the fight, is to continue it. We need stand up and become a true part of the
Army of God. We need to take up the fight, to labour for God in the darkness of this
evil world. We are admonished in Ephesians 6:10 "Be strong in the Lord, and in
the power of His might." We do not battle in our own strength, but in the power of
the Lord. These Christians of the faith that we've taken a quick glance at today, knew
where their strength and power came from...do you? Don't try to do the work of the
Lord in your own strength, you will fail. The best soldier is the one who goes into battle
fully equipped.
As you face another day, remember those who have gone on before. Be encouraged by
their testimonies of endurance and perseverance. Be true to their memory and the mighty
things they accomplished, through the Lord, for the Lord. Bravely step forward to the
frontlines of this spiritual battle, take up the banner of the Lord our God, and onward go!
Am I a Soldier of the Cross
Am I a soldier of the cross? A follower of the Lamb?
And shall I fear to own His cause, or blush to speak His name?
Must I be carried to the skies on flowery beds of ease,
While other's fought to win the prize and sailed through bloody seas.
Are there no foes for me to face? Must I not stem the flood?
Is this vile world a friend to grace, to help me on to God?
Sure I must fight if I would reign, increase my courage Lord!
I'll bear the toil, endure the pain, supported by Thy Word.
Isaac Watts
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