Our Daily Bread: Called to ServeSampel

Song of the Bow

How the mighty heroes have fallen! —2 Samuel 1:27

After serving his country for two decades as a helicopter pilot, James returned home to his family. But he missed helicopters, so he took a job flying medical evacuations for a local hospital. He flew until late in his life. 

Now it was time to say goodbye. As friends, family, and uniformed co-workers stood vigil at the cemetery a colleague called in one last mission over the radio. Soon the distinctive sound of rotors beating the air could be heard. A helicopter circled the memorial garden, hovered briefly to pay its respects, then headed back to the hospital. Not even the honor guard could hold back the tears. 

When King Saul and his son Jonathan were killed in battle, David wrote an elegy for the ages called “the Song of the Bow” (2 Samuel 1:17). “A gazelle lies slain on the heights,” he sang. “How the mighty have fallen” (v. 19 NIV). Jonathan was David’s closest friend and brother-in-arms. And although David and Saul had been enemies, David honored them both. “Weep for Saul,” he wrote. “I grieve for you, Jonathan my brother” (vv. 24–26). 

Even the best goodbyes are oh-so-difficult. But for those who trust in the Lord, the memory is much more sweet than bitter, for it is never forever. How good and right it is to honor those who have served others!

Tim Gustafson

We honor the Creator when we honor the memory of His creatures.