The Tomb of the Unknown Soldier (and you)

by Rik Danielsen, D. Min.

Recently, I watched a television show featuring the soldiers who guard the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier in Arlington National Cemetery. There were many moving aspects to the story, but for me, the most moving was the inscription on the tomb:

"Here rests in honored glory an American soldier known but to God."

I know I've read or heard those words before, but this time they struck a chord with me. I began to think about the words "known but to God" — and about those who know God and are known by God.

The Bible says God knows everything and he knows everyone. He knows our names, addresses, and phone numbers. He knows how tall we are and how much we weigh. He knows the numbers and colors of the hairs on our heads (both natural and otherwise). Yes, God knows us and everything about us.

But the Bible also talks about those who are on God's list. It's not the "naughty and nice" list checked by a certain mythical elf. It's a list called the Lamb's Book of Life.

Revelation 21:27 (ESV) — "But nothing unclean will ever enter it, nor anyone who does what is detestable or false, but only those who are written in the Lamb's book of life."

Speaking of heaven, the Bible says "only those who are written in the Lamb's book of life" will enter. So how does one get his or her name in that book? In the very first of Jesus' sermons ever recorded, we find the simple answer:

Mark 1:15 (ESV) — "The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand; repent and believe in the gospel."

Salvation is a gift given to those who turn away from their sin and put their absolute trust in the person of Jesus Christ.

Every person who has been saved needs to know this: even if you serve God in obscurity — that is, no one knows your name or what you have done for the Lord — you are not unknown to God. God sees and rewards those who serve him. Your name may not be recorded in the annals of Church History like those of the martyrs and missionaries whose service is so renowned, but God has seen your faithfulness to him.

Every mother who raised her children for Christ, and every father who preached a sermon daily with his love for the Lord and love for his family, is known to the Lord Jesus Christ. Every children's worker who taught Bible lessons and loved on the children has made an investment that will pay dividends in heaven. Every pastor who served faithfully — no matter the size or fame of his church — will hear those words we all long to hear: "Well done, good and faithful servant."

In years gone by, it was harder to identify the war dead. Today, with modern DNA analysis and the identification service members wear, that process is far less difficult. As a result, there are fewer unknown war dead than in years past.

But there have never been any unknown servants of God. Oh, they might be unknown to folks with skin on them — but they are all known to the one who ultimately matters most. God knows the name of every person who has put their faith in Christ and has served him in any and every way.

Keep serving. Keep loving. Keep going. God sees everything you're doing, and your eternal reward awaits.

(Copyright, Rik Danielsen, 2022)