Last month I was in our nation’s capital, and I took some time to walk around the National Mall. When I reached the Vietnam Veterans memorial, I walked around the statue of the three service members. As I stood behind the statues, I noticed that their gaze is fixed on the black granite wall upon which are etched the names of their fallen comrades in arms. Just then a group of men in wheelchairs rolled up. They were a group of Vietnam veterans on their Honor Flight. Some took pictures. Others just sat there with their hands folded, remembering… 

This made me think ahead to this weekend. On Memorial Day weekend we remember those who have died in service to our country. But we do not grieve the dead the way that the rest of the world grieves because we have hope. We know that Christ is risen and that he lives. Those who died while serving our country and died clinging in the risen Lord Jesus, they also live!  

 The apostle Peter quoted the prophet Joel in his Pentecost Day sermon in Acts chapter 2 and he said this: “Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved” (Acts 2:21). 

My prayer for you is that when you take time to remember this weekend – whether you do that on Monday at 3:00 PM local time, the National Moment of Remembrance, or you do that by sticking a flag in your yard, or hanging it on your garage, or laying a wreath on a tombstone – my prayer is that your soul is comforted with Jesus’ resurrection promise that “everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.”  

Jesus promised the one who was crucified with him, “Today you will be with me in paradise.” This promise confirms that those who died in service to our country clinging to Jesus as their Savior – their souls are with Jesus right now in heaven. I pray that you are comforted with the knowledge that because Christ’s tomb is empty that one day their tombs and their urns will be empty, too. Their bodies will rise from the dead and they will live forever remember. The one who died and rose again never to die again did so, so that those who call on his name will never die and that includes you.

I don’t know how many movies and TV shows that I’ve watched where there was some military situation and someone bursts through the door or storms onto a battlefield and demands, “Who’s in charge here?!” It’s almost laughable because all that individual would need to do is to look at the rank on the uniform of the war fighters that are standing right in front of them and they would know that this guy or this gal is in charge. But that’s Hollywood.  

We ask this question in our own lives, don’t we? Deployed war fighters have reached out to me and asked, “Chaplain Horn, could you please pray for peace, wisdom for our leaders to make good decisions, for an end to this conflict, and strength for us because we’re awfully tired. We’ve been going nonstop since we got out here.” They’re not complaining. They’re just saying, “Here’s where we’re at and really… who is in charge here because there doesn’t seem to be an end to this.”  

You don’t have to be deployed to ask that question. We look at rising gas prices, the economic struggle that many of us face, the uncertainty with all of the things going on in our life and we even ask God this question, too, “Like who’s in charge here?”  

This past Thursday the Christian Church celebrated the Festival of the Ascension of our Lord Jesus Christ. Christ’s ascension answers our question, “Who’s in charge here?”  

The apostle Paul talks about this in his letter to the Ephesians. In chapter one he offers this prayer on behalf of the Christians in Ephesus and says that he wants the eyes of their hearts to be enlightened so that they see the power of God for us who believe (Ephesians 1:18-19). And then he explains that power, “That power is the same as the mighty strength he asserted when he raised Christ from the dead” (Ephesians 1:19-20). No one else has that kind of power – not President Trump, not Putin, no one in this world has that kind of power to raise someone from the dead. Only God does. Paul says, “I want you to know that power.”  

And not only did he raise Christ from the dead but then he goes on to say this: “and seated him at his right hand in the heavenly realms” (Ephesians 1:20). God raised Christ from the dead. Forty days later he ascends into heaven – not to be distant from us. Not to abandon us. Not to make us wonder, “Who’s in charge here?” But to answer that question. Paul says, “He is there far above all rule and authority, power and dominion, and every name that is invoked, not only in the present age but also in the one to come. And God placed all things under his feet and appointed him to be head over everything for the church” (Ephesians 1:21-22). Jesus ascended into heaven to rule and reign over all things. Even when it looks like he’s not reigning, even when we wonder, “Who is in charge here?” Jesus ascended into heaven to prove to us that he has all rule and power and authority, yes even over death and the grave, over your sin, over war, over all things – and to rule for your benefit because you are his church.  

Praise God that Jesus is ascended into heaven. Praise God that he is ruling and reigning for your benefit. Believe it. Trust it. Let’s pray about it. 

There is a canyon less than 50 yards from our front door. Before you enter the canyon, a sign explains that area was once known as Camp Elliott and served as a training area for artillery during WWII. At the bottom of the sign there is a warning: “Salvage work has been done to remove unexploded shells, but it is possible that due to natural erosion, shells could surface. If you should discover any, do not touch it!”   

It is possible that there are unexploded shells in this canyon… In the early 80s some people found one, picked it up and it killed them. Did I also mention that there are coyotes and tarantulas, scorpions and rattlesnakes, and ticks in this canyon?  

Every time I walk this canyon I am reminded of King David’s words in Psalm 23, “Even though I walk through the darkest valley . . .” (Psalm 23:4). This canyon is a picture of my life. Seen and unseen dangers are waiting to afflict my body and soul, my property and reputation. What about you?  

Life in our nation’s military is like walking through the darkest valley – not just when you’re downrange or underway, not just when you’re at NTC or some other training – but the devil is always waiting to afflict you with spiritual harm. Death and grave are always lurking.  

Then King David says in the psalm, “I will fear no evil, for you are with me” (Psalm 23:4). Who is the “you” to whom David refers? You probably know the answer, “The LORD, who is my shepherd, who leads me, guides me, who restores my soul, who laid down his life for mine, only to take it up again, so that he might live and be with me, who will make sure that I dwell in his house forever.”  

This canyon not only reminds me that I walk through the darkest valley, but that Jesus is my Good Shepherd, because the name of the canyon is East Shepherd Canyon. If you visit San Diego, stop by and we’ll walk Shepherd Canyon together and talk about Jesus and how he makes sure we lack no good thing because he is our Good Shepherd. Until that day, I encourage you to read Psalm 23 today and then read John chapter 10 and know that Jesus your Shepherd walks with you through the darkest valleys.