Thw wife of a Green Beret writes here of a funeral she went to for a fellow Green Beret who was killed in combat.

Looking around at the windows I found it so strange then that the stained glass included soldiers with guns in a church. Guns and church didn’t seem to go together. Now I understand. Those windows show the depth of man’s soul in a battle. There is probably not a place closer to God – or seemingly further from Him – on this earth.

“Though an army besiege me, my heart will not fear; though war break out against me, even then I will be confident.” (Ps 27:3)

“Who is this King of glory? The Lord strong and mighty, the Lord mighty in battle.” (Psalm 24:8)

“Contend, Lord, with those who contend with me; fight against those who fight against me.” (Ps 35:1)

“Sovereign Lord, my strong deliverer, you shield my head in the day of battle.” (Ps 140:7)

“Some trust in chariots and some in horses, but we trust in the name of the Lord our God.” (Psalm 20:7)

(As someone who spent two decades on active duty, I emphathize with her on this Memorial Day. As a teenager growing up in the Philippines, I went to the U.S. military cemetery in Manila every Memorial Day to remember my uncle [whom I am named after] who was killed at age 18 in the Atantic theater during WW2; his Grumman TBF Avenger was shot down. He was an Aviation Machinist’s Mate Second Class and reported missing and ultimately declared dead on 22 October 1943.)

Greater love has no one than this, that he lay down his life for his friends.” (John 15:13)