A Soldier's Playing Cards
After
heavy fighting, a soldier returned to camp. The next day being
Sunday, the Chaplain had set up a church service. The men were
asked to take out their Bibles or Prayer Books. The Chaplain
noticed one soldier looking at a deck of cards. After the
service, he was taken by the Chaplain to see the Major.
The
Chaplain explained to the major what he had seen. The major
told the young soldier he would be severely punished if he could not
explain himself. The young soldier told the major that during
the battle, he had neither a Bible or a Prayer Book so he would use a
deck of cards and explained:
"You see,
Sir, when I look at the ACE, it tells me that there is one GOD and
no other.
When I see
the "2," it reminds me that there are two parts of the Bible, the OLD
TESTAMENT and the NEW TESTAMENT.
The "3"
tells me of the TRINITY OF GOD THE FATHER, GOD THE SON AND GOD THE
HOLY SPIRIT.
The "4"
reminds me of the FOUR GOSPELS, MATTHEW, MARK, LUKE, and JOHN.
When I see
the "5," it tells me of the FIVE UNWISE VIRGINS who were lost and the
five that were saved.
The "6"
makes me mindful that GOD CREATED THE EARTH IN JUST SIX DAYS, and GOD
said that it was good.
When I see
the "7," it reminds me that GOD RESTED ON THE SEVENTH DAY.
As I look
at the "8," it reminds me that GOD DESTROYED ALL HUMAN LIFE WITH
WATER EXCEPT FOR EIGHT PEOPLE, Noah, his wife, their three sons, and
their three son's wives.
When I see
the "9," I think of the NINE LEPERS that GOD healed. There were
ten lepers in all, but only one stopped to thank him.
The "10"
reminds me of the TEN COMMANDMENTS carved in stone by the hand of
GOD.
The "JACK"
makes me remember the Prince of Darkness. Like a roaring lion,
he devours those he can.
When I
look at the "Queen," I see THE CHURCH and THE BRIDE OF JESUS.
As I look
at the last card, "THE KING," it reminds me that JESUS IS LORD OF
LORDS and KING OF KINGS."
There are
365 spots on a deck of cards, and that is the number of days in each
year.
There are
52 cards in a deck, and that is the number of weeks in a year.
There are
12 picture cards, and that is the number of months in a year.
There are
4 different suits in a deck and that is the number of seasons in a
year...
And so,
the young soldier then said to the Major, "You see, Sir, my
intentions were honorable. My deck of cards serves as my BIBLE,
my PRAYER BOOK, and my ALMANAC. Most importantly, my deck of
cards remind me that I need Jesus... 365 days, 52 weeks, and 12
months a year and that I should always PRAY for others."
NOTE: This is a true story.
It happened during WWII and was reported in the Stars and Stripes.
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