Throughout the history of the United States of America, millions have sacrificed their time and comforts and many even their lives for the sake of our freedoms and rights.  Today, we pause to remember their sacrifices on our behalf, allowing us to live a life of freedom in this great nation founded on the principles of God’s truths. God has given us a memory on purpose because there are some things in the past that if we were to forget them, we would be impoverished in the present and the future. We are reminded of the grief experienced by those who received that phone call or telegram or that knock on the door to hear that a loved one wouldn’t be coming home. When we don’t remember, it’s as if we are taking it for granted and in a sense wasting the sacrifices that so many have paid for our benefit.  The compelling reality that surrounds a Memorial Day, is that freedom always has a price.

     If we think of it in a spiritual sense,  God created us to be free. We were created in the image of God (Gen. 1:26,27) which included a free will that could make choices. But Satan came along and sabotaged that with his temptation in the Garden and Adam and Eve disobeyed God’s orders and ate of the forbidden fruit and as a result the tyranny of sin and bondage entered the world.  “Therefore, just as through one man sin entered into the world, and death through sin, and so death spread to all men, because all sinned” (Ro. 5:12).  Mankind was placed in bondage and robbed of the freedom for which we were created.  But, Jesus Christ came, the “seed of the woman” (Gen. 3:15), made the ultimate sacrifice, laying down His life for us (Jn. 10:11,18), that we might be set free from the bondage of sin and of death. 

     Jesus understood the importance of remembering the sacrifice He made for us so instituted the “Lord’s Table” or the communion service where we break the bread and share the cup. Jesus said, “Do this in remembrance of Me” (I Cor. 11:24,25).  Jesus knew how easy it is for us to forget the price that was paid for our freedom, both spiritually from the bondage of sin and also as a nation which has experienced the greatest freedom of any nation on earth, but not without a tremendous cost to millions who have served to obtain and protect those freedoms. Today, this Memorial Day, we pause to express our gratitude for every life that has been given to procure the freedoms which we too often take for granted. We also extend a huge “Thank You” to those who are currently serving in the military to fight to protect those freedoms. 

     Sadly, too many government officials today are taking actions that undermine and dismantle many of the very freedoms for which these heroes gave their lives. Freedom is precious–costly–and we must be vigilant to ensure that the freedoms many have sacrificed their lives for continue to be enjoyed by our children and grandchildren. We are greatly indebted to those who laid down their lives for our country. One way we can honor their legacy is by protecting those freedoms today.  Praise the Lord for groups like “Alliance Defending Freedom,”  “American Center for Law and Justice,” and “Freedom Coalition” that are fighting to protect those freedoms against the tyranny of politicians and judges who attempt to destroy them.  

     Similarly, but even more important, are those who are boldly and uncompromisingly proclaiming the truths of God’s Word in the midst of a culture that is in moral freefall and increasing spiritual darkness. Praise the Lord for believers who are remaining steadfast and being “salt and light” (Mt. 5:13-16).  

     All freedom ultimately comes only from a commitment to the truth and to the One who is “the Way, the Truth and the Life,” (Jesus Christ…Jn. 14:6).  Jesus said, “And you shall know the truth and the truth shall make you free…If the Son shall  make you free, you shall be free indeed” (Jn. 8:32,36).  Obviously, the reason we are struggling in our nation is because we have not been acknowledging the absolute truths of God’s Word and are just doing “what is right in our own eyes” like during the period of the Judges, which was one of the darkest periods in the history of God’s chosen people, the Jews (Judges 21:25).  If we are going to truly honor those who have given and are giving their lives to protect our freedoms, we must get back to following the truths of God’s Word.  That is the only way to protect the freedoms for which they have sacrificed and for which our Savior made the ultimate sacrifice as He died for the sins of the world to give us the opportunity to be set free from sin’s penalty and power.   

Forever His,

Pastor Dave

A Memorial Day Prayer

“Father, we thank you for each and every one of our military personnel who defend our country from those who might take our freedom from us. Today, we thank you especially for those who have fought and died on foreign shores…for those whose graves we mark and honor, and for those whose fate is known only to You. We thank you for those who have been wounded in battle…may we never forget their service and care for them as they deserve.  Father, we ask you to watch over those men and women stationed abroad today, and be there with their families when they cannot be there. Bless, preserve, protect and defend them, and bring them safely home. 

In Jesus name, Amen.”      (Virginia Saunders)