Remember

My soul also is greatly troubled.  But you, O Lord, how long?  Turn, O Lord, deliver my life; save me for the sake of your steadfast love…The Lord has heard my plea; the Lord accepts my prayer.  All my enemies shall be ashamed and greatly troubled; they shall turn back and be put to shame in a moment.

Psalm 6:3-4, 9-10

 

Memorial Day serves as a great time to remember and honor those currently serving in our nation’s military, those who have served, and those who have paid the ultimate price for our freedom.  We thank God for their service!

 

Memorial Day causes all of us who live in this country to stop and reflect on the blessings of freedom that God Himself has passed on to us through the generations.  It is also a day to remember the One who laid down His life for us so that those who have laid theirs down for this Nation may reclaim it for eternity through their belief in the resurrection of Jesus Christ.  And we pray to God that no life given in the defense of this country is ever given in vain because God is working through this Nation, this freedom, and this people, to share the truth of Jesus Christ as Savior – as we work every day to be one Nation under One God and Savior.

 

There will be many stories of remembrance shared this weekend about all our nation’s historic battles from the Civil War to the wars we are currently fighting in the Middle East.  In all of those battles - under great duress - heroes stepped forward, history was made, freedom was secured, and our Nation prevailed.  We need to remember the lives of the men and women who have gone before us.  Many go unremembered and some have only been vaguely considered in these many years.  It is far too easy to forget.

 

There is one battle that we, as people of God, must never forget:  The battle on the hill called Calvary.  That battle makes a difference in all the rest of our daily battles; it makes a difference as we face the uncertainty of terrorist threats; it makes a difference in our grief and in our joy; it makes a difference in our temptation and in our tears; it makes a difference in our remembrance and in our rejoicing.

 

The sacrifice of Christ on the cross, and His victorious resurrection brought the greatest hope and freedom to the world.  Julia Ward Howe’s Battle Hymn of the Republic speaks of this in stanza four: “In the beauty of the lilies Christ was born across the sea, With a glory in His bosom that transfigures you and me; As He died to make men holy, let us live to make men free, While God is marching on.”  Thank God for Good Friday and Easter!  They are to be remembered, revered, and proclaimed as the greatest of all memorial days - for Christ is Risen!  He reigns on high as King of kings and Lord of lords.  One day every knee will bow and every tongue confess that He is Lord to the glory of God.  Until then, we remember and rejoice.