(The author of this devotion is Karl Blanke. Karl Blanke served as an infantry officer in the United States Marine Corps. He completed two combat tours in Iraq with 1st Battalion, 5th Marine Regiment. After leaving active duty, he continued to serve in the Marine Corps Reserves, where he served as a Weapons Company Commander, Battalion Executive Officer, and Regimental Executive Officer.) 

As we remember Veterans Day, we often think back on the sacrifices of those who have served in the United States military. We also think of the freedoms we enjoy because of the sacrifices those veterans made for us. But this year, our hearts also turn to all those serving in the wars in Israel and Ukraine. We need only look at our news feed or drive through a protest near where we live to see how strongly opinions run about these wars. (This link provides a history of the modern nation of Israel by Karl Blanke as he addressed the staff and faculty at Crean Lutheran High School).

In times of war, particularly politically divisive wars like we see in Israel and Ukraine, it is easy to cast blame on the “other side.” It is easy to blame the policies of those we disagree with for everything we see wrong in these wars and even in society at large. But as we remember the service of our veterans this year, I would like to ask that we take a few minutes to consider how God would have us think through these conflicts. In particular, I suggest that we spend a few minutes thinking about the approach of one of the world’s greatest veterans: King David. 

David served faithfully as an officer in King Saul’s army for years. As a young boy, David had defeated Goliath when no one else was willing to take up the challenge. Later, David served Saul as a musician in his court. Ultimately, David became Saul’s greatest military commander. How did Saul respond? With appreciation? Far from it. Rather than show appreciation for David’s service, Saul grew jealous. At the height of Saul’s jealousy, he sought to kill David. Initially, Saul did so by sending David on the most dangerous of military missions, hoping the Philistines would kill David in combat. When that didn’t work, Saul took up the task himself. 

Consider David’s response to Saul. He could have easily killed Saul. He had ample opportunity to do so. His men even urged him to do so. But David refused. David knew that Saul led the nation of Israel under God’s permission. David knew it was not his role to usurp the throne from God’s anointed one. Instead, David chose the path of kindness and patience. He chose the path of love. To use Jesus’ words, David “turned the other cheek.” 

The veterans we honor today did not get to choose whether or not to fight. Their calling was simply to serve and to fight. But they did not fight for one political party or the other. They fought for the United States, for our Constitution, for the freedoms it represents, and for the example that this nation sets for the world. They fought so that each of us would have the opportunity to exercise our freedom of speech, our freedom of association, and our freedom to vote. In this time of upheaval, no matter where we see ourselves politically, no matter how we view the wars in Israel and Ukraine, I would ask that we each think of how we can live more like David did. David was one of the bravest and greatest combat veterans of all time. No one would ever accuse him of turning from a fight when leading his soldiers in combat. But when it came to Saul, he chose not to fight him. He chose to love him. That great warrior chose to be a humble servant who served those who hated him. May we do the same. Amen.

We pray: Lord, thank you for this day. Thank you for the opportunity to live in a country where we have the freedom to worship You, a country where we have the freedom to let our voices be heard in the political process. We pray not only for those who agree with us but also for those who hate us and despise us for following You. As we consider how we exercise the freedoms we enjoy here in the United States, help us always choose a path that honors You. You eloquently summarized all that we are called to do when You said, “Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: Love your neighbor as yourself.” Let us constantly seek how we can do precisely that: how we can love You more and love those around us better, particularly those with whom we disagree. We pray all this in the name of Jesus. Amen.

Karl Blanke

karl.blanke@creanlutheran.org