The Battle Weary Soldier Longs To Go Home
By Irvin Rozier
II Timothy 4, verses 6,7: "For I am now ready to be offered, and
the time of my departure is at hand. I have fought a good fight,
I have finished my course, I have kept the faith:"
I was a soldier in the United States Army for many years. During
my time as a soldier, I experienced many things, learned much
about people (yes, soldiers are people; we tend to forget they
are some mother's and father's child), and completed much
training. I remember basic training and how tough it was,
physically and mentally. This training had to be completed
before one could go on to the next training. We learned
offensive and defensive tactics, teamwork, respect for
authority, and much more. We had to abide by our Army
Regulations, the set of rules and instructions that govern the
operation of the Army.
Two of the things that stick in my mind are the End of Term of
Service (ETS) and the Date Eligible to Return from
Overseas(DEROS) dates. I knew that unless I reenlisted or
extended my service obligation, my ETS would come at a certain
date, and I would be released from my duty as a soldier. While
serving overseas, I knew that at a certain date, my DEROS would
come and I could go back home. All soldiers knew these dates
(sometimes as our dates approached, we would go around yelling
SHORT) and looked forward to completing their obligations.
The Bible, the "regulation" of the Christian, states that we are
constantly in a spiritual warfare. The Word of God equips
soldiers in God's army to fight the spiritual battles that are
encountered. Sometimes, we need to be on the offensive, and
sometimes, we need to be on the defensive. That is why Paul
tells us in I Timothy, 2.15 "Study to shew thyself approved of
God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing
the word of truth." The Army Regulations I mentioned earlier did
not apply to me until I joined the Army. Once I joined, I had to
read, study, absorb and abide by these regulations. The same
principle applies to the Bible. Once I joined God's army, the
Bible became my regulation. Daily, I read it, study it, and
apply what I have learned.
In Ecclesiastes, Chapter Three, verse one, the LORD tells us,
"To everything there is a season, and a time to every purpose
under heaven:" There is coming an hour, day, year that our ETS
on this earth will arrive. When that day comes, God will send
his angels (Luke 16, verse 22), and carry us home to Heaven. Our
battles will be over; the victory will be won. Until our ETS
date, we will have other dates similar to the DEROS date I
referred to earlier. These dates will be events in our lives
that changes the course of our lives and gives us new seasons.
Events sometimes come suddenly, the unexpected illness,
financial losses, family problems, and sometimes we know they
are coming. But, remember, there is a time and a season for
everything under heaven. That is why the LORD tells us in Psalm
37, trust in him and lean not unto our own understanding. Praise
Him who controls the times and the seasons!
The Apostle Paul knew his time was coming. He was so close to
Jesus, and his faith was so great, that the LORD gave him many
revelations. These revelations caused Paul to be battle worn, to
be tired and weary. What a day for him, when the LORD revealed
unto him his work was finished! Paul suffered much, yet the LORD
was with him. What He has done for others, He will do for you.
Soldiers of God, keep on the firing line! Jesus has never lost a
battle, and He will send deliverance. "A time to be born, and a
time to die, a time of war, and a time of peace."
Hebrews 6.15 "And so, after he had patiently endured, he
obtained the promise."
Irvin L. Rozier, author of My Walk with the Lord, various
other articles and poems, preacher, retired US Army, Chaplain of American Legion
Post 181
