Ultimate Servant-Warrior

Scotty Smith:  A Prayer for Memorial Day: The War that Ends All Wars

     Then I saw heaven opened, and behold, a white horse! The one sitting on it is called Faithful and True, and in righteousness he judges and makes war. His eyes are like a flame of fire, and on his head are many diadems, and he has a name written that no one knows but himself. He is clothed in a robe dipped in blood, and the name by which he is called is The Word of God. And the armies of heaven, arrayed in fine linen, white and pure, were following him on white horses. From his mouth comes a sharp sword with which to strike down the nations, and he will rule them with a rod of iron. He will tread the winepress of the fury of the wrath of God the Almighty. On his robe and on his thigh he has a name written: King of kings and Lord of lords. Rev. 19:11-16

     Triumphant Lord Jesus, on this Memorial Day we honor the men and women who’ve served our country in various branches of the armed forces. In a world filled with “wars and rumors of war,” we don’t take our servicemen and servicewomen for granted. There’s has increasingly become a thankless, even despised calling. We remember those who have lost their lives; those currently serving, at home and abroad; and the families of our servicemen, who pay an enormous sacrifice.

     But on this particular Memorial Day, we want to honor you, Lord Jesus, as the ultimate servant-warrior—the quintessential man of service, the one who on the cross waged the war to end all wars. No one hates warfare among vying nations more than you. No one is more offended even by the petty and pointless squabbles between spouses and friends (James 4:1-2). No one paid a greater price to bring the final and full peace for which we intensely long and hope.

     Having secured the defeat of the prince of darkness on the cross, you’re now the rider on the white horse—alone worthy of the name Faithful and True. You are faithful to fulfill every promise God made for the salvation of his people and the restoration of creation. You are presently, actively completing this good work of redemption, for your name is also the Word of God. We praise you. We bless you. We worship and adore you, Lord Jesus!

     Though evil hates beauty, your love trumps all evil. Evil will not prevail. It has been defeated and it will be eradicated. You are already the King of Kings and Lord of Lords. Your kingdom has come and your kingdom is coming. Consummate peace will replace all petulance and pettiness, hating and being hated, fuming and fighting, of every variety and expression. Hallelujah, several times over! So very Amen we pray, in the memory and victory of your matchless name.