Unknown Heroes

Matthew 25:40b "Assuredly, I say to you, inasmuch as you did it to one of the least of these My brethren, you did it to Me." (NKJV)

Today, November 11th, is Remembrance Day in Canada and Veterans Day in the USA. On this day each year, veterans from the various wars and conflicts, both those who died and those still living, are recognized and remembered. There are parades to the cenotaphs where the names of those fallen in wars in which Canadians were involved are engraved. Many people gather on these occasions. Usually a speech is given, a prayer is said by a minister of one of the local churches, and The Last Post is played. At 11 o'clock in the morning, two minutes of silence is observed all over the country. Afterwards, the veterans will go to the Legion Hall for a time of fellowship. In some churches, a special service is held on the Sunday before the 11th of November.

While thinking about this, I thought of the thousands of men and women who aided people who were sought by the occupying forces. During the occupation of the Netherlands from 1940 until 1945, there were many airmen who parachuted to earth when their planes were shot down, and very often, local people would hide them in their houses and attempt to get them safely out of the country back to England.

My father and mother hid a Jewish girl for quite a period of time. She stayed in a little room which was not being used. Meals were taken up, she never left the room during daylight hours, and the door was locked. My mother told me in confidence that there was someone staying in the spare room, but no one else knew. After the liberation, the girl came to visit us. Literally thousands of lives were saved because of the kindness of others.

People in Bible times also risked their lives. After his conversion, the apostle Paul was preaching the gospel of Jesus in Damascus, and the Jews plotted to kill him.

Acts 9:24b-25 – They watched the gates day and night, to kill him. Then the disciples took him by night and let him down through the wall in a large basket. (NKJV)

In wartime, feeling that it was their duty as believers in Christ, so many unknown heroes courageously took terrible risks in the name of truth, and assisted in escapes and shielded people from the enemy. Had they been caught, they would have been executed. We don't know who they were, nor are their names recounted.

Today in the western world, a battle of a different kind is being waged, as biblical values are being tossed aside in today's society. Christian families and individuals are struggling to know how to apply their faith in our ever-changing culture. Let us pray for the courage to take the risk of standing for the name of Christ and truth, and especially in the face of opposition to Christ in this world.

Prayer: Our Father in heaven, we thank You for all the people of Bible times and those of the present age who risked and still risk their own lives to save others. May we not consider the risk too great to take our stand with You. In Jesus' name, we pray. Amen.

Joel Jongkind Meaford, Ontario, Canada

Thanks to PresbyCan Daily Devotional