A Cross in the Desert

On this Federal and state holiday for Veteran's Day, we can take time to reflect on God's provision for our nation, and those He has used to preserve our civic freedoms.  Psalm 136 says:
1 Oh, give thanks to the Lord, for He is good! For His mercy endures forever. 2 Oh, give thanks to the God of gods! For His mercy endures forever. 3 Oh, give thanks to the Lord of lords! For His mercy endures forever: 4 To Him who alone does great wonders, For His mercy endures forever...  There are so many instances of God's hand expressed in the life of our nation.   Our brave men and women of the armed forces have been used to gain our freedom, to promote it, and to further the cause of freedom around the world.   As those who came to these shores desired to build a "city on a hill", where God's truth would be in evidence, we recognize that our veterans have been incredible instruments in God's plan to bless a nation that was founded, I believe, to exalt Him.   And, the symbol of the cross and the remembrance of their sacrifices have been so intertwined, and this is no accident - this can serve as a reminder that this nation was built on an acknowledgement of God, which can be a powerful force in our nation's challenges, and in the challenges we face individually.  Psalm 33 acknowledges the hand of God in nations:11 The counsel of the Lord stands forever, The plans of His heart to all generations. 12 Blessed is the nation whose God is the Lord, The people He has chosen as His own inheritance.

A story for Veteran's Day this year begins in 1934, when World War I veterans placed a 7-foot-tall white cross made of pipe on Sunrise Rock in the Mojave National Preserve in the Mojave desert to honor their comrades.  Years later, one of the dying veterans asked a man named Henry Sandoz to watch over the cross.   For years, Henry kept his promise and successfully maintained the memorial, including the replacement of damaged crosses with new versions — until 2002, when the ACLU sued the federal government for violating the First Amendment, saying that the cross was an establishment of religion. 

2 Federal courts sided with the ACLU, and one court ruling resulted in a wooden box being placed over the top of the cross.   The case made it to the U.S. Supreme Court, and in 2010, it overturned the lower court rulings and paved the way for a land swap between the National Park Service and the Veterans of Foreign Wars.   Just after that ruling, the cross that had been standing at the site was stolen.

It was planned that yesterday, as a result of the transfer of land, a service would be held to commemorate a new cross on the historic site.  And, indeed, about 100 people gathered at the site for that occasion.   In an interesting twist, the cross that was stolen turned up last week - according to the San Francisco Examiner, San Mateo County sheriff’s deputies were called about a “famous cross” found on state Highway 35, about three miles south of state Highway 92.

“Upon arrival, deputies observed a cross standing upright and attached to a fence post with zip ties,” Deputy Rebecca Rosenblatt said.

The cross was in good condition, Rosenblatt said, and had a note attached to it proclaiming its authenticity. No arrests have been made.

Meanwhile, the Sandozes had really already moved on, making preparations for the Sunday ceremony and the brand new cross.   The site will be upgraded, too, with a fence, visitors' entrances, and a plaque stating that the cross is a memorial for war veterans.

Isn't it interesting that across our land, crosses are commonly used to symbolize the sacrifices of veterans?   The picturesque setting at Arlington National Cemetery and other hallowed grounds across America are replete with crosses to mark the graves of those who have given their lives in service to our country.

Despite the efforts of secularist organizations, you cannot separate the cross from the history of our country.  The sacrifices of brave men and women in uniform have resulted in the furtherance of our rich Judeo-Christian heritage and our ability to practice our faith.   And, while yesterday we thought about not only our veterans, but also Christians around the world who are being persecuted for their faith, today, even though we see the erosion of our religious liberties in some instances, nevertheless we enjoy a tremendous amount of freedom to practice our faith.   We publicly attended church at thousands of worship centers across the land, and we can give thanks to God for that, as we are thankful for His mercies upon our nation, and thankful for those who have died to preserve that ability to be free, and to worship freely.  

While there are those that don't acknowledge the significance of the cross and Christian principles in our land, we still recognize that His ways have provided the basis for our laws and the motivation for so many to fight for our country.    And, we remember the ultimate sacrifice made on a cross by our Savior, as well.