Memorial Day Devotion: Remembering

 

Hebrews 10:14 For by one sacrifice he has made perfect forever those who are being made holy. (NIV)

I never served in the Armed Forces, so I don’t know what it is like to be in the military, but I am appreciative of the sacrifices that have been made by those in uniform. When Memorial Day comes around each year, I feel both sad and grateful at the same time. I’m sad because of the young lives that were lost either in battle, on a mission, or even by accident; I’m grateful because my whole life has been given a freedom that someone else earned for me.

At this time of year, I think about those who had no choice but to take up arms, who were conscripted to go to war instead of following their dreams of college, a career, or whatever else they wanted to do with their lives. I think especially of those who served in Vietnam, who lost their lives in an unpopular war, and whose surviving buddies faced humiliation and hostility when they returned. I think about the resentment some of those survivors may still feel and yet who, year after year, honorably remember and proudly commemorate brothers and sisters in arms who lost their lives in defense of freedom and for our country.

This also makes me ponder on the Supreme Sacrifice that Jesus gave for a world which did not deserve, receive, or accept Him. He was conscripted by God to fulfill a mission that was unpopular and unrecognized by most of His people. He endured shame and humiliation, even though He was doing what was right. He gave everything, so that we may be given all of God’s grace, mercy, and love.

So, this weekend, I will remember those whose lives were taken in a time of war and in service of our nation. I will be grateful for the freedom that I know, as well as for the faith that I have.

May God be with you and may you remember the sacrifices that were made on our behalf.

Prayer: Lord Jesus, help us never to take our freedom for granted, nor may we waste the faith that You purchased for us. In Your Holy Name, we remember and pray. Amen.

Pastor John

www.erinpres.org

Memorial Day Devotion - Enjoy this Day! - Acts 17:18

Acts 17:18       A group of Epicurean and Stoic philosophers began to dispute with him. Some of them asked, "What is this babbler trying to say?" Others remarked, "He seems to be advocating foreign gods." They said this because Paul was preaching the good news about Jesus and the resurrection.

            All across the land, families will be gathering together, enjoying Memorial Day. For most Americans, it’s a sacred day to honor those who gave of their lives in past and present wars, as well as a time to respect and remember those among us who are still serving our country in the military. There will also be a lot of feasting and fun because the best way to commemorate the war dead is to live life freely and fully, enjoying the precious liberty that we have with our loved ones, and embracing the freedom that we have been selflessly given.

            It’s also a day of faith, hope, and love when people of small towns and large cities will gather at military cemeteries to place small flags over the graves of those who served so long ago. Red, white, and blue is to be seen everywhere, and the Stars and Stripes is flown from flagpoles and homes all across the country. It’s a beautiful sight to see and a wonderful blessing to experience.

            For those of us who are Christians, there is also the wonderful hope of resurrection through Jesus Christ, who also gave of His Life so that we may be saved from our sins, restored to God’s Kingdom, and blessed with everlasting life. One amazing day, when Christ returns, all of those heroes’ graves will burst open jubilantly and the sleeping warriors within them will be raised to the glorious eternity that we all seek. Our commemorations of the dead will suddenly become celebrations of Life and we will all be together with Christ forever. This is the good news that Paul preached about in Athens; this is the Gospel of Jesus Christ that we continue to share today, till the end of Time.

Questions for personal reflection

What does Memorial Day mean to me? How are my freedom and faith connected to my salvation in Christ?

Prayer:            Lord Jesus, on this special day when we remember the fallen heroes of our nation, we also remind ourselves of Your Supreme Sacrifice which has given us hope for the Life that is yet to come. Be with our people this day, and as we honor those who have served and are still serving our nation, keep us mindful of the service that we can still give to You each day. In Your Holy Name, we pray. Amen.

John Stuart is the pastor of Erin Presbyterian Church in Knoxville, Tennessee. If you would like to comment or ask a question about today’s message, please send him an email to traqair@aol.com.

Today’s image is a Memorial Day drawing of John’s called “Memorial Tears.” If you would like to view a larger version, please click on the following link: http://www.flickr.com/photos/traqair57/2525663285/sizes/l/in/photostream/

Memorial Day poem: Memorial by John Stuart

Memorial

Silently,

I will remember the host
Of men and women
Who paid the cost
For the Freedom I enjoy.

Respectfully,

I will remind
The next generations
Of the sacrifice
That previous generations
Gave to preserve our Liberty.

Tearfully,

I will recall those still living,
Whose hopes and dreams,
Lives and loves
Were completely altered
By unavoidable war
And selective service.

Proudly,

I will stand with them
And embrace the Stars and Stripes
In my heart and soul,
Feeling strongly connected
To its past, present, and future.

Thankfully,

I will honor those
Who selflessly gave of their youth,
And those who are still giving of their lives,
So that I and all others
May have a Freedom worth living,
A Hope worth advancing,
And a Life secured by Liberty.

(c) John Stuart 2013