Unnamed, But Not Unnoticed

 

In an Army Hospital ward there were several WWII veterans reminiscing about their many bouts with near-death and death. One vet stated, “I owe my life to a medic who treated me under heavy fire. Later that day he himself was killed in battle. I do not know his name, but I shall never forget him.” Many heroes throughout history remain anonymous, but their deeds were always remembered by someone.

Just outside Washington, D.C., across the sparkling blue waters of the Potomac River, lies Arlington National Cemetery. Since 1864 some 45,000 plus courageous individuals have been laid to rest beneath the soil of the gently sloping hill of that impressive field. Among the honored dead is the tomb of the Unknown Soldier. This tomb has become a national shrine and is Arlington’s outstanding memorial. Thousands stand quietly and reverently at its graveside annually. The inscription on the tomb reads: “Here, known but to God, lies an Unknown Soldier.” That particular tomb has come to represent all the men and women of our armed services who’ve bravely fought and died defending our nation’s freedom. It’s not only a memorial for every Major General, but for every “Grunt” and Unknown Soldier who have sacrificed everything protecting life, liberty, and happiness.

[Mark 9:38-41] Did you know that there are thousands of unnamed people in the Bible? Many of them could be call “God's anonymous children.” Too often we fix our attention exclusively on the greater characters of the Bible, yet the vast host of the inconspicuous and unnamed has been preserved by the pen of inspiration as being worthy of our meditation. The unknown saints – unknown, that is, to human fame - must not be passed by. While full consideration must be given to those God called into the limelight, we dare not ignore others who remain in the shadow of obscurity or in anonymity. The writer of Hebrews depicts a great company of noble believers. “…Others were tortured and refused to be released, so that they might gain a better resurrection. Some faced jeers and flogging, and even chains and imprisonment. They were put to death by stoning; they were sawed in two; they were killed by the sword. They went about in sheepskins and goatskins, destitute, persecuted, and mistreated - the world was not worthy of them. They wandered in deserts and mountains, living in caves and in holes in the ground” (Hebrews 11:35b-40). We are not told anything else about them, and they are simply referred to as “others” (Hebrews 11:37). Yet we can be certain that God knows who they were and that someday he will honor them for their faith and loyalty to the Savior.

Do you feel insignificant and almost worthless because you have not received public recognition, or your name has never appeared in a publication, or has never been shown in lights on a marquee? Don't be discouraged! If you love the Lord, and you're doing your best for Him, you can be sure that He takes special notice of your faithful service. One day you will be rewarded, and He will acknowledge you personally. Though you may be “unnamed” here on earth, you will not go “unnoticed” in heaven. A poet once wrote: “The world may not thank you or noticed your walk, Yes, few here may care when you die; But Jesus will mark all your labor of love, and give you His praise by and by,” author unknown. Thus, from these just ordinary everyday people who did what they could to defend the God given rights of mankind and the cause of Christ, we learn from them that it is enough to serve simply as an unknown soldier and servant – known only to Him (Matthew 18:1-4): “…unless you change and become like little children …whoever humbles himself like this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven.” God knows you.