“I’m in the Lord’s Army!”

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The LORD is my strength and my song; He has become my salvation. He is my God, and I will praise Him, my father’s God, and I will exalt Him. The LORD is a warrior; the LORD is His name. — Exodus 15:2,3

Endure hardship with us like a good soldier of Christ Jesus. — 2 Timothy 2:3

If you ever went to Vacation Bible School, you probably learned the song, “I’m in the Lord’s Army!” It goes like this:

“I may never march in the infantry
Ride in the cavalry
Shoot the artillery
I may never fly o’er the enemy
But I’m in the Lord’s Army, Yes Sir!!”

Does that bring back memories? And have you ever thought exactly what that means—to be in the Lord’s Army? That old Bible song from my childhood, and now from my own children’s experience, has come back to me recently.

Have you ever been angry with the Army (insert your own service here) at some point? Is it because of back-to-back deployments, a tough duty station, dealing with PTSD, combat operational stress, an injured husband/wife, the death of a spouse or a friend’s spouse, children or dogs who act up because Daddy/Mommy has been away too long? If angry, are you perhaps serving in the wrong Army?

The Lord wants us in His Army, not just in the U.S. Army. What does that mean? He wants our love, an intimacy with us so deep that joy springs from our love of Him. The Apostle Paul speaks of love and joy in the same sentence, for example in Galatians 5:22,23: “For the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control.” And the Apostle Peter writes, “Though you have not seen Him, you love Him; and even though you do not see Him now, you believe in Him and are filled with an inexpressible and glorious joy, for you are receiving the goal of your faith, the salvation of your souls.” (1 Peter 1:9)

Christ said, “I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.” (John 10:10) Does that mean just to endure life? Honestly, sometimes it feels like that. But no. Christ wants us to have life—living joyously because of the love the Father has for us—you and I as Christ-followers.

My husband was passed over for promotion when 99% of people his rank were promoted. I’m ashamed to say that my first thought was, “How could the Army do this after all he (we) have given?” My second thought was, “God has a hand in this—according to all human standards my husband would have been promoted.” But it hurt so badly—that was my wake-up call. I was regarding the U.S. Army, not God’s Army. God wrought amazing change out of the situation. Our faith grew so much watching God’s hand at work.

Growing hurts sometimes. Did you ever have growing pains as a child? Were you happy about getting bigger? We can be joyful and still have pain. Labor hurts but there is incredible joy in the birth of a child. Let us evaluate our attitudes and ask ourselves, “Am I thinking as a soldier in the Lord’s Army?” If the honest answer is no, ask the Lord to show us how to change our focus. Let’s also ask Him for the joy He wants us to have!! Nehemiah said, “Do not grieve, for the joy of the LORD is your strength.” (Nehemiah 8:10) The Lord knows that we need strength in this time of war. Let’s ask Him for His joy to give us strength.

I still appreciate the simple childrens’ VBS songs, but I have gone on to appreciate contemporary Christian songs by some new groups, like Sierra. From their 1996 CD called “Devotion” there is a favorite of mine called “I’ve Got the Joy.” It’s lyrics go like this:

“I’ve got the joy of the Lord flowing over in my soul
I’ve got the joy of the Lord bringing me peace.
There is no shadow of doubt that His love can’t cast out.
I’ve got the joy of the Lord living in me.
Circumstance can break a man or set that same man free.
I have learned I must be content with what You have planned for me.
Like Paul, I guess I’m sayin’, I’m gonna keep on prayin’
that everyone can see” . . . (and back to the chorus above).

Check your heart for your I.D. While you’re serving in the military, are you also in the Lord’s Army? Then pray, and ask for the joy.

Questions to Share:

1. Do you believe that your marching orders in the military come from men or from God?

2. What difference does it make in your attitude to think that your life in the military is actually in the hands of God who loves you?