Memorial Day

Memorial Day - Short history lesson

• Originally called "Decoration Day" for the practice of decorating soldiers' graves, it was first observed nationally in 1868.
• By the 1950s, the day became a day not only to honor the fallen, but to celebrate America
• 1967 - the name was formerly recognized as "Memorial Day" by Federal Law.
• 1968 - Federal Law changed the date from May 30th to the last Monday of the month, along with Washington's Birthday and Veterans' Day, largely for the convenience of a three-day weekend.
• In the last 100 years alone, over 600,000 people have died defending the freedoms we enjoy and so often take for granted.

Jesus said, "There is no greater love than to lay down one’s life for one’s friends." (John 15:13)  Paul expounded upon Christ's sacrifice in his letter to the Romans, saying, "Now, most people would not be willing to die for an upright person, though someone might perhaps be willing to die for a person who is especially good." (Romans 5:7)

As we prepare to observe Memorial Day, and to remember the sacrifices made by those who willingly laid down their lives that we may live ours, it is fitting that we should remember the greatest sacrifice made on our behalf, and how the cross of Christ stands as the ultimate reminder of God's great love toward us.

First, let us consider what the Old Testament tells us about what God does NOT remember.

God Himself declares “I, even I, am he who blots out your transgressions, for my own sake, and remembers your sins no more." (Isaiah 43:25 NIV)

Micah 7:18-19 - The sea of forgetfulness

Psalm 103:8-18 - "He remembers we are only dust..."

The author of Hebrews reminds the reader of the Old Testament words concerning the new covenant to come, fulfilled in Jesus, and sealed by the Holy Spirit,"And the Holy Spirit also testifies that this is so. For he says, “This is the new covenant I will make with my people on that day, says the Lord: I will put my laws in their hearts, and I will write them on their minds.”  Then he says, “I will never again remember their sins and lawless deeds.” (Hebrews 10:15-17)

In Psalm 111, we read, "He causes us to remember his wonderful works." (v.4)  Jesus told his disciples, and by extension, us, that the Holy Spirit "will teach you everything and will remind you of everything I have told you." (John 14:26)  Just a couple of lines down, the Psalmist assures us that God "always remembers his covenant." (v.5)  In fact, God says, "See, I have engraved you on the palms of my hands..." (Isaiah 49:16) 

2 Peter 3:1-2 - In order to be reminded, we must become intimately familiar with the word.

In the midst of mourning the fall and destruction of Jerusalem in the hands of the Babylonians as a result of the judgment of God, the prophet Jeremiah yet declared, "Yet I still dare to hope when I remember this: The faithful love of the Lord never ends!  His mercies never cease.  Great is his faithfulness; his mercies begin afresh each morning." (Lamentations 3:21-23)

Isaiah wrote, "You will keep in perfect peace all who trust in you, all whose thoughts are fixed on you!" (Isaiah 26:3)  As we take time to remember the brave, selfless soldiers who purchased our freedoms with their own blood, let us also remember to keep our eyes firmly fixed upon Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith (Hebrews 12:2), and to endeavor to increasingly understand and grasp the freedom God Himself has graced us with. 

Let's make every day a memorial day.