Message summary: Today we consider veterans, both military and spiritual.

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"Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses" (Hebrews 12:1).

Today is Veteran's Day here in the USA. On this day we are especially called to remember those who served our country in times of conflict and in times of peace. War is one of the awful consequences of the Fall. Mankind has been in conflict with one another ever since Cain killed Abel with the first wars being recorded in Genesis 14.

Many veterans read these messages, including several we know, along with those still in active service. We thank you for your service on behalf of our nation and on behalf of our family.  We specifically consider my dad who trained as a pilot during WW2 and Brooksyne's dad who served during the Korean War. We both also have brothers who are veterans along with extended family members and friends and those in churches we have served.

We believe spiritual veterans mentioned in Hebrews 12:1 are among the witnesses that surround us. They have "fought the good fight", a phrase used by the Apostle Paul in his final letter (2 Timothy 4:7). I am grateful for all, great and small, who have gone before us and joined the "great cloud of witnesses".

We thank God for the giants of faith, those well known in the Bible, in the history of the Church and even in our own time. But only a very tiny percentage of those who have lived by faith are well known and considered giants of faith.

The vast, vast majority have lived in relative obscurity. But their contribution is just as important. These are the people we personally know, those who have taught us and come alongside us in times of need and trial. What great encouragement they give us!

Some of these veterans have joined the great cloud of witnesses in heaven and the older you get the greater this category grows.

Others still plod along on this side.*

These living veterans demonstrate faithfulness to the end. I consider Ed Berkey who was a pastor for many years before he served as the District Superintendent of Southern New England. Brooksyne and I came to know him and his wife Gladys when I was pastoring in Taunton, MA.  I still recall an encouraging word from him back in 1996 while our online ministry was still in its infancy and we are still in contact including a brief chat I had with him this morning. He will turn 100 years old next month!

Consider veterans you know today, both military and spiritual, some both. Consider taking a few minutes of your day to thank God for them, and if possible, give them a call or write a word of appreciation to them. You'll make their day!

Be encouraged today, Hebrews 3:13.

Stephen & Brooksyne Weber

Daily prayer: Father, we give thanks for our veterans who have served in the military seeking to defend our freedoms and serve their country. Far too many gave their all and did not return to their home shore alive. Others were grievously wounded. We are also thankful for the many spiritual veterans who have served us. While military forces defend our rights with the latest military gear and technique, spiritual veterans do battle for us in the spiritual realm. They know our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. We're grateful for their dedication and for the sacrifice they made on our behalf. Amen.

* "Plod" to me is a positive word. Warren Wiersbe, who is now with the Lord, had a formative role in both our lives through his many books. One of them was titled, "In Praise of Plodders".