Armed Forces Day is time set aside to recognize members of the Armed Forces that are currently serving.  In 1947, the Armed Forces of the US were united under one department which was renamed the Department of Defense in 1949.  President Harry S. Truman supported the creation of the day for the nation to unite in support and recognition of our military members and their families.

In 1 Chronicles chapter 11: 10-47 we read of King David’s mighty men.  There were the three and the thirty, warriors who protected David and fought in battles for the people of God.  The Bible has “the list of David’s mighty warriors.” (1 Chronicles 11:11-47)  In the battle against the Philistines, the Bible says, “[they] struck the Philistines down, and the Lord brought about a great victory.” (1 Chronicles 11:14)  In Genesis 14, we read of Abram taking 318 soldiers to fight the four kings who took Lot captive.  After the defeat of the Kings, and the rescue of Lot and his possessions.  We read of Melchizedek, a high priest saying, “Blessed be Abram, by God Most High, Creator of the heaven and earth.  And praise be to God Most High, who delivered your enemies into your hand.” (Genesis 14:19-20)  In the Book of Joshua we read, “So Joshua marched up from Gilgal with his army, including all the best fighting men.  The Lord said to Joshua, ‘Do not be afraid of them, I have given them into your hand.  Not one of them will be able to withstand you.'” (Joshua 10:7-8)

America’s Founding father, John Jay, (1745-1829) was a strong Christian, serving as vice-president of the American Bible Society (1816-1821) and its president (1821-1827).  In a series of letters, he expounds on the Biblical view of war.  He writes: “Whether war of every description is prohibited by the gospel, is one of those questions on which the excitement of any of the passions can produce no light. An answer to it can result only from careful investigation and fair reasoningI believe they are as lawful to the offending party in our days, as they were in the days of Abraham…  If wars of every kind and description are prohibited by the moral law, I see no way of reconciling such a [restriction] with those parts of Scripture which record institutions, declarations, and interposition’s of the Almighty which manifestly [prove] the contrary. If every war is sinful, how did it happen that the sin of waging any war is not specified among the numerous sins and offenses which are mentioned and reproved in both the Testaments?”  (Wall Builders, David Barton; Presenting America’s Forgotten History)

It appears in Scripture, in the rising up and protection of the United States of America, war seems to have its necessity.  There are Biblical and governmental truths for us live by in regard to Armed Forces.