MEMORIAL DAY

Today, we commemorate all the soldiers who died while serving in the United States Armed Forces. Memorial Day is supposed to be a solemn day of remembrance for military personnel who died in service to this country. It began after the Civil War as a way to honor soldiers who died defending the Union. After the Civil War ended, people decorated the graves of fallen soldiers with flowers to honor their sacrifices. In 1968, the Grand Army of the Republic (GAR) officially designated May 30th as Memorial Day. Memorial Day is different than Veterans Day, which is on November 11th to honor all veterans. Many have sacrificed their lives for this country so that we can have the freedom that we enjoy now. We need to praise our Heavenly Father for their sacrificed service. As a result, we need to appreciate our freedom as a nation because it is not free. It cost thousands of the Armed Forces who laid down their lives for our sake. Although the United States of America is not perfect, it is still the number one country that has freedom of religion and speech.

Our Lord Jesus fought for our spiritual freedom and sacrificially and voluntarily laid down His life on the cross for us. Because of what He did, we are no longer slaves to sin and receive eternal life. Jesus said, "There is no greater love than to lay down one's life for one's friends (John 15:13)." Our Lord Jesus laid down His life because He loves us. Our salvation is not free because Jesus paid the price of the penalty for our sins. We do not have to earn our salvation because He freely gave it to us by believing in Him, but in order, for our Lord Jesus to give us our salvation for free, He had to pay the penalty of our sins with His own blood. 

Let us not take for granted the freedom that we have as a nation, and let us not forget what others have done for us. Let us be thankful for what God has done in our lives and appreciate the freedom that we have spiritually and as a nation. 

Questions for application: (Think through these questions carefully, meditate on them while answering them, and let the Spirit of God speak to you.) What is Memorial Day all about? What attitude should I have, knowing that people sacrificed their lives for my freedom? How can I express my gratitude to my Lord Jesus, knowing that He saved me through His own life?

Take a moment to write down all your worries today. Then, lift them to God in prayer, surrendering them to His will and trusting in His guidance.

Prayer:

Dear Father in Heaven, I thank you for the men and women who gave their lives in service of this country so that we can have the freedom that we have now. From the Civil War, World War I, and World War II to the present war on terrorism, I pray that you will continue to protect our freedom as a nation. Thank you, Lord Jesus, for laying down your life for our salvation. In your name, Jesus, I pray. Amen.