Way back in the 1930’s Howard Grose wrote a hymn that we used to sing quite a bit. I am sure that I could still sing many of the verses and the chorus from memory. I was thinking about this song the other day, as I was watching a report on the evening news highlighting the increase in volunteers to the armed services, following the September 11 terrorist attack on America. Two young men from my local church, one leaving college even, have joined up in Uncle Sam’s army to go fight terrorism.

I recall vividly, almost like it was yesterday, receiving that letter in the mailbox: “Report to your Selective Service office for your physical.” Those were ominous words to my wife, LaVina, and me. I was in college preparing for Christian ministry. In those days during the Vietnam War build-up, it was a draft army. I passed my physical. Guess what? I’m 1-A, meaning, I was fit for battle and Uncle might call me at any time and give me a gun. I attribute LaVina’s grandmother’s fervent prayers to keeping me in college preparing for ministry, as the reason I was never drafted.

The hymn goes “Give of your best to the Master; Give of the strength of your youth . . . Give Him first place in your heart . . . Give Him first place in your service; consecrate every part.” The chorus is, “Clad in salvation’s full armor, join in the battle for truth.” Today the government is not drafting anymore. It is a volunteer army; the inducements are great . . . $20,000 just for signing up and the promise of $50,000 for higher education.

I wonder if mere patriotism is not enough of an incentive to encourage the troops. Seems to me it should be. But then I think of the Lord’s army. It seems like His glory and the fact that His name is unknown by billions of people, especially in places like Afghanistan, should be enough. But it apparently is not.

It is the young that fight the wars. We old guys may be the leaders, but it is the young ones out there on the front lines. I think of parents who are so patriotic, as to be okay with their children joining up for Uncle Sam’s troops, because of the nobility of the battle. But they may be less than enthusiastic about them joining up to serve in the Lord’s army on the front lines of missionary service. Is it true that dying for one’s government could be of greater value than dying for one’s Savior?

Times may have changed since September 11 for the world, our world in America. We have a new unseen enemy that has no return address. But in the spiritual battle that is even behind this temporal battle, the world has not changed. Our enemy is still the same, Satan. He still wants to steal, kill and destroy. He still is holding prisoners, locked away in ancient places of spiritual darkness, and unless the liberating forces of God’s army move in with the Love of Christ and the Truth of His Word, there is no hope.

War is about sacrifice. Our entire nation will have to sacrifice for the terrorist enemy to be defeated. Sons and daughters will have to die in this war for victory to come. In the battle for truth, as the hymn writer put it, it will require that we “give of the best to the Master.” That is what God the Father did for us. He gave His best, in the Son. We can do no less and expect to have spiritual victory. What are you willing to give? It’s your turn now.