There's something about bagpipes - that haunting, mournful wail which can somehow transform itself into a paean of perseverance and victory never fails to grab my heart, tear it open, and wring emotion out of me. Ah, but perhaps that's the Scottish blood my ancestors bequeathed to me...
Nevertheless, when the pipes play "Amazing Grace," everything stops. My head turns toward the dirge, and my eyes search for pristine uniforms standing at attention. My body straightens, my hand comes over my heart, and my head bows in prayer.
Another hero has come home.
Another saint has entered the kingdom.
Another family endures the terrible loss, and looks forward to the triumphant reunion with their beloved. Another family remembers the promises of God:
And he who overcomes, and keeps My works until the end, to him I will give power over the nations...
He who overcomes shall be clothed in white garments, and I will not blot out his name from the Book of Life; but I will confess his name before My Father and before His angels...
He who overcomes, I will make him a pillar in the temple of My God, and he shall go out no more. I will write on him the name of My God and the name of the city of My God, the New Jerusalem, which comes down out of heaven from My God. And I will write on him My new name...
To him who overcomes I will grant to sit with Me on My throne, as I also overcame and sat down with My Father on His throne...
He who overcomes shall inherit all things, and I will be his God and he shall be My son.
I just found this video by a country group - Rushlow Harris - that I'd never heard of:
But thanks to Blackfive, I also see another version of the video. He also talks about the Navy SEAL Commander who pretty much wrote the lyrics, and links to an article in That's Country magazine which tells a little more of the story.
Never, EVER!, forget the sacrifice our men and women in uniform have offered up so courageously. Honor them, respect them, support them, and pray for their honorable victory!
He who dwells in the secret place of the Most High
Shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty.
I will say of the LORD, "He is my refuge and my fortress;
My God, in Him I will trust."Surely He shall deliver you from the snare of the fowler
And from the perilous pestilence.
He shall cover you with His feathers,
And under His wings you shall take refuge;
His truth shall be your shield and buckler.
You shall not be afraid of the terror by night,
Nor of the arrow that flies by day,
Nor of the pestilence that walks in darkness,
Nor of the destruction that lays waste at noonday.A thousand may fall at your side,
And ten thousand at your right hand;
But it shall not come near you.
Only with your eyes shall you look,
And see the reward of the wicked.Because you have made the LORD, who is my refuge,
Even the Most High, your dwelling place,
No evil shall befall you,
Nor shall any plague come near your dwelling;
For He shall give His angels charge over you,
To keep you in all your ways.
In their hands they shall bear you up,
Lest you dash your foot against a stone.
You shall tread upon the lion and the cobra,
The young lion and the serpent you shall trample underfoot."Because he has set his love upon Me, therefore I will deliver him;
I will set him on high, because he has known My name.
He shall call upon Me, and I will answer him;
I will be with him in trouble;
I will deliver him and honor him.
With long life I will satisfy him,
And show him My salvation."
Amen. May God continue to guide, protect, and strengthen the Armed Forces of the United States of America!
