Psalm 12 and the Minnesota National Guard

An article from NewsWest9.com http://www.kwes.com/Global/story.asp?S=7163967&nav=menu505_2 describes the return home of 2600 Minnesota National Guard troops from the longest combat deployment of any unit so far during the current war in Iraq.

So, how long was their deployment? It seems that the official deployment orders for 1161 of the 2600 was for 729 days, one day short of that required for these soldiers to receive the G.I Bill educational benefits of $500 to $800 per month they were promised as part of the compensation for spending two years of their lives in harm's way.

Senior leadership at the Pentagon is being blamed for making this decision. Six House of Representatives members and Minnesota's two senators have asked the Secretary of the Army to look into the matter.

Regarding Psalm 12, Rev. Edwin Elliott today published a sermon outline on this psalm in http://fullbiblepulpit.blogspot.com/. He makes several points that apply to the people who made this crass decision that led to this betrayal of our troops:

I-A. People cease to be godly when faithful examples are unavailable; the hope is in turning to God. “To the chief Musician upon Sheminith, A Psalm of David. Help, LORD; for the godly man ceaseth; for the faithful fail from among the children of men.” (Psalm 12:1)

III-A. Unchecked wickedness brings the worst people to the surface and such people attract others of their kind. “The wicked walk on every side, when the vilest men are exalted.” (Psalm 12:8)

How can we expect our soldiers to bravely and selflessly offer their lives in defense of their nation when betrayal and falsehood are the examples set by their top leaders? Where were the leaders willing to risk their own position by standing up for the troops they command by questioning this decision in the very beginning?

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Thy kingdom come, thy will be done on Earth...