Your troops will be willing on your day of battle. Arrayed in holy splendor, your young men will come to you like dew from the morning's womb. – Psalm 110:3

Today's Scripture Reading (September 6, 2025): Psalm 110

As I write this, war is still raging in Eastern Europe between Russia and Ukraine. President Trump is still telling the press about his great relationship with President Putin, but then says that, as Russia drops bombs on Ukraine, he is angry with the Russian Ruler. People continue to be amazed that Ukraine has been able to stand up against the former superpower. While the war is far from over, the idea that Ukraine has been able to withstand Russia's advances this long is a testament to the perseverance of an underdog.

I remember the early days of the war. I watched coverage of seniors making homemade explosives and Molotov cocktails that could be used against the enemy if they dared to get close enough. In those days, all Ukrainian men were part of the army, while the women either fought or ran to safety with their children. But everyone seemed to be involved in fighting for Ukraine.

On the other hand, there have long been reports of reticence on the part of Russian soldiers to be involved in the fight. There have been stories of mass defections from the front lines of the Russian forces, and the difference in the opposing armies' willingness to fight probably explains one of the reasons why Ukraine has performed as well as it has. Russia has had to rely increasingly on mercenaries, whom it is paying to fight its battles.

David writes a two-pronged prophecy about the forces of God. On the human side, God promises that on the day of battle, the army of Israel will be ready to fight. The image that David paints here is of an army that will rise and volunteer to fight. They will do whatever it takes to win the fight. No mercenaries will be needed; this army will be ready and willing to fight.

But the second prong of this prophecy speaks directly of the Christian Church. The Church has long been seen as a sacred army, going into the world to fight against the forces of Satan. It is an image that S. Baring-Gould used when writing "Onward Christian Soldiers."

            Onward Christian Soldiers,

            Marching as to war,

            With the cross of Jesus

            Going on before!

            Christ, the royal Master,

            Leads against the foe;

            Forward into battle,

            See his banner go!

The image is of the Church going to war. However, the key difference is that our primary weapon should be love. We should be fighting against all that is evil in the world. If we were doing our job, even our enemies should be able to say, "I don't believe in their God, but I sure like the things that they do." The fact that our enemies have substantial criticisms of the Christian Church is evidence that we are not marching "with the cross of Jesus, going on before."

We have become more of a corrupt police force, charging people with their sins instead of a loving army that just wants to show people the way of love and forgiveness.

We are a volunteer army, but our purpose should be distinct from that of any other army in the world. Rather than shooting and killing an enemy, we are charged with loving people and making a positive difference in the world in which we live. Mercenaries are not required, just a group of volunteers who want to march behind the cross of Christ. Go and be that today!

Scripture Reading: Psalm 122 & 123