GODSPEED
J.D. Ketterman, LCDR, USN (RET)
Today’s Scripture: "Behold, I am sending you out as sheep in the midst of wolves, so be wise as serpents and innocent as doves." Matthew 10:16, ESV
Theme: Sometimes, doing whatever God asks you to do will not make sense to those around you. But you can trust He will show up at the right time.
AMID THE CONFUSION
There were numerous situations onboard the ship during Greyhound when the crew hesitated or looked at each other, wondering what the Captain was thinking. Turning directly towards torpedoes, running in circles to get behind the enemy, repositioning the screen, running dangerously close-up the middle of the convoy, shooting at an enemy close aboard to another friendly, etc. He had to be like a serpent hunter but showed restraint to be uninvolved in the hatred of this enemy.
A HUMAN COST
After a textbook sinking of the first enemy sub, a junior officer gleefully cheered, “Fifty less Krauts!” The Captain immediately brings us back to the inhumanity and the ugly cost of war by stating, “Fifty souls.” As with Jesus, his mission was a mission to save lives. For the Captain, that necessitated killing enemy sailors, but he took no joy in that fact.
Make It Personal: We are surrounded by misinformation, maliciousness, dogmatism, disingenuousness, and close-minded anger caused by fear. We must strive for wisdom and truth, and then, convey with the compassion and love that is exemplified by Jesus. Jesus taught us that compassion should be extended to everyone, including our enemies. His compassion is a call to action for us, His followers, to love and serve others as He loved and served us. “But I say to you, Love your enemies and pray for those that persecute you” (Matthew 5:44, ESV). Our mission is to walk in the path of Jesus, share our faith, and save souls.
Prayer: Father God, grant virtue to me as a citizen and wisdom to those in authority that through obedience to Your will, justice and truth will be established among us. Lord, lend me the patience of Your wisdom and the compassion of Your love that I may repay Your sacrifice by inspiring others to likewise be eternally grateful and exemplify Your care for every soul. Lord, may Your purpose prevail until the day when death itself is defeated, and Your kingdom comes on earth as it is in heaven. "And the sea gave up the dead who were in it, Death and Hades gave up the dead who were in them, and they were judged, each one of them, according to what they had done" (Revelation 20:13, ESV). In Your Name we pray. Amen.
Read: 1 Peter 3:13-15; Galatians 3:26-28; 1 Timothy 2:1-5
Weekly Memory Verse: “Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever.” Hebrews 13:8, ESV