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Tuesday, February 2
“What nobler decoration of honor can any godly man seek after than his scars of service, his losses for the crown, his reproaches for Christ’s sake, his being worn out in his Master’s service!” Unknown
All soldiers compare their wounds and battle stories, especially when in their sunset days. They are proud to share them as badges of honor, as victory scars of service for their homeland, proving they made it through the campaigns, the conflicts.
How many saints in heaven will not have battle scars, their scars of service, endured for the sake of their heavenly homeland? Not a single one! Male or female, all will be a part of that brotherhood of soldiers, who have fought the good fight and won.
As Paul approached the end of his life, he gave his valedictory speech in his second letter to Timothy, “For I am already being poured out as a drink offering, and the time of my departure is at hand. I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. Finally, there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will give to me on that Day, and not to me only but also to all who have loved His appearing.” (2 Tim. 4:6-7 NKJV)
How many victory scars of service did Paul have? More than most of us. Some may have even more than Paul. But he fought the good fight. He endured the scars. He received his crown.
Charles Spurgeon (a British preacher in the 1800s) said, “We will be content to share the battle, for we shall soon wear the crown and wave the palm.”
We all suffer struggles of one sort or another and one day they will cease. When we come to the end of our earthly conflicts, we will all gather on those heavenly shores and exchange the sagas of our days on the battlefield.
How many different service scars will we find? What stories of conflict will we hear? Voices will ring out…
*See, here, that’s my scar of divorce.
*This one is the scar of prison.
*This one is the scar of severe sickness.
*This one is the scar of being abused as a child.
*This one is the heartache of my spouse’s infidelity.
*Mine is the scar of rape.
*This is the scar of poverty.
*This is the scar of great heartache.
*This is the scar of children who went the way of the world.
*This is the scar of agony of torture for my stance in the Lord.
Throughout all our battles, God says to us, “Don’t be afraid, for I am with you. Don’t be discouraged, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you. I will hold you up with My victorious right hand.” (Is. 41:10 NLT)
God is our help and our shield (Ps. 33:20). We have His full armor to protect us (Eph. 6:11). He never leaves us on the battlefield alone. He is Immanuel…God with us, always (Matt. 1:23).
What battles do you fight? Are you victorious? What scars of service do you proudly share with others, telling them you made it through the conflicts?
When our days of battle on earth end, I will meet you on those heavenly shores. We will wear our crowns of perseverance and wave our palms of victory. I look forward to sharing with you the scars of service we have each endured.
To God be the glory!
I too love Paul's words "I have fought the good fight" and I enjoyed your post about the scars that every saint has, and every Christian.
Hey, Terra! So glad to "see" you. Thanks so much for your comment. I appreciate your stopping by. Blessings to you!
I simple DM on Twitter...a few blessings...and I am lead back to read more and saw this had just posted.
I read it twice. The first time, I looked at myself with all the "scars" that I have from my life as a drug smugler, coming from an alcoholic home, and all of the more recent ones, some that are not yet scars for they are still open wounds. I have heard it said that time heals all wounds, but only the Lord can heal the scars!
Then, as I read it over again, I saw the thousands of scars that I have left on others.
.....and then here is where I paused to wonder why...this night...at this time, did I receive this sense of responsibility for things that I had repented of years ago. What came to me is that I need to pray that the Lord has worked in those lives, healed those scars, not just pray for my own to be healed!
Yes, I repented of the things I had done many years ago, and that brought much healing and freedom in my life. But, when was the last time I prayed for all of those people to receive the same grace and freedom that was given to me?
......yet again I have paused....to see people in my mind that I have not thought of for years! How selfish of me to continually ask for healing from life's hurts when there are so many that deserve it more than I!
By no means am I alluding to it being wrong to ask for oneself to receive favor from the Lord. One needs also though, to remember the scaring that we have caused, and still may cause with our harsh words, attitudes, ego, selfishness....
Thank you Lord for this moment...for leading me here tonight, for Lynn's sharing, and I ask Lord that someone would receive that grace, that healing....that freedom tonight, even as I type this words.
In Jesus Name, Amen
In Christ, Bro Jer
Jerry Kohlbrand
Oh, Jerry, that is so touching. What precious words! And why didn't I think of that? LOL Your thoughts are so true. I'm so thankful to the Lord that we connected on Twitter. Scars are wounds that have healed. I pray there are no residual effects from the scars in your life.
But remember, scars remind us not only of what once occurred but also of where we are now. You've come a long way, baby! May the Lord truly bless you, Jerry, with all you need. Thank you so much for stopping by. You've touched my heart and made it very happy!
Not to be a stick in the mud... but... I will just for this moment...
It won't matter what battles we've fought/won and what scars we carried on Earth when we get to Heaven. That's the main reason why Jesus went up on the cross for us to begin with... to take on all our battles. He won the victory for us. Praise the LORD!
Oh, yes, Kimberly! That's the point! We are victorious over all the battles. Jesus is our victory. Without Him in my life, I cannot imagine being a winner at anything.
To me, the scars are badges of victory, reminding me that the Lord and I fought and won over the conflicts of life. You are so right! Without the cross, we would never win. Thanks for being such a precious follower. I so appreciate you! May the Lord truly bless you!
Wonderful post Lynn! No matter what we endure our Father will always be with us. Very encouraging!!!
Hey, Alisa! Thanks so much for your comment. It's a truly stupefying thought, isn't it? God With Us...ALWAYS! Blows me away! Blessings to you, dear one!