Unknown Heroes

Saturday, November 11, 2017
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Listen while you read: "O God Our Help In Ages Past"1 (Lyrics)

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.

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About the author:

Joel Jongkind <austria67@bmts.com>
Meaford, Ontario, Canada

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1 Comment

  • PresbyCan Feedback says:

    Great lesson Joel.


    Very meaningful devotional today. Thank you.
    God’s blessings upon you,


    Hi Joel,
    I enjoyed your devotional “Unknown Heroes”.


    Amen. Just got back from Remembrance Day services. Remembrance Day always brings tears to my eyes thinking about everything. Thanks for the thoughts I need to include in my prayers next time.


    Dear Joel,
    Amen….this is a strong prayer.
    Blessings.


    What a wonderful memory of your parents! It brings tears to my eyes to think of the risk people took to do what was right.
    Thanks for sharing.


    Dear Joel,
    It is good to be reminded of the “unknown heroes”, and of Jesus’ call to serve Him today. Thank you for being a willing channel of His love through your devotionals!
    Blessings in Him,
    (BC)


    Thank you, Joel, for sharing your thoughts with us today. Truly, many unsung heroes deserve to be honored and blessed by those they helped as well as those who survived those horrible wars relatively unscathed. My father was among the walking wounded from WWII. Blessings.


    Dear Joel
    Thank you for your message of remembrance. Thanks to all the unknown individuals that harboured innocent people from those who were brain washed by evil. May we learn from those horrific events that happened in WWII and pray for peace on earth.


    Thank you for sharing, Joel.
    God Bless you and all who helped others in times of conflict.
    Remembering those who still perform acts of great courage in the face of danger.
    Remembering the sacrifices made.


    Thanks Joel.
    Your devotional has added significantly to my observance of Remembrance Day this year and also to thoughts about the other “wars and conflicts” we are figuratively and literally experiencing today.
    Blessings and kind regards.


    What a wonderful story!
    Who knows how many risked their lives to save our Jewish brothers and sisters.
    A friend in my business women’s club comes from Holland.
    She still remembers as a child the Canadian soldiers arriving to liberate Holland, and how one gave her some chocolate.
    And of course, we still enjoy the beautiful tulips on Parliament Hill, a continuing gift from a grateful country.
    Thanks for your sharing


    Dear Brother in Christ:
    Your words on this Special of Days were God Sent to all who received your message.
    I had two Uncles serve in the second world war.
    I knew Brothers and Sisters in Christ who served in WW1 & WW 11 & Korea and a friend gave his life in Korea.
    Besides this we tend to think of those who risked life and limb as civilians serving soldiers or peoples in distress probably instant execution.
    Thank you for your words of wisdom, and in my prayers I will now make sure, I thank GOD for them all, as they were “Warriors without Uniform.”


    Joel, you have so many interesting experiences to share. This one was a beautiful testimony of your parents’ love and courage. Blessings.

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