A Soldier's Sacrifice

A Soldier’s Sacrifice

Jesus’ voice I heard today.

I heard him croak with dying throat

of why he’d fought this final fray,

though victory did not make him gloat.

Humble stayed he till his death,

a hero with a servant’s heart.

He trusted God with dying breath;

he’d known his purpose from the start.

I heard this voice not from a book,

not from a hymn or Gospel song,

not nigh or near a pulpit’s nook

and not in nature’s praises strong.

I heard it as I knelt and wept,

for in my arms I held him trembling,

and from his face his blood I swept—

this soldier nigh to death’s assembling.

“Let them know,” with final breath

he said, “that I love them,

that for freedom I have welcomed death—

and now I go to be with Him.”