Hebrews 11: 32-33- And what shall I say more? For the time would fail me to tell of Gedeion, and of Barack, and of Samson, and of Jephtae; of David also, and Samuel, and of the prophets: who through faith subdued kingdoms, wrought righteousness, obtained promises, stopped the mouths of lions…
Today is Memorial Day. A time set aside when we remember the sacrifices that our countrymen made in service for our freedom. And for those of us who are of African descent, it should hold an even greater significance since it was started after the Civil War in honor of those who fought to unify our nation and end slavery.
I’ve been teaching on the Civil War in the past few weeks. During this time I have tried to instill in my young learners an appreciation for all that the war accomplished for our ancestors, and therefore, for us. I asked them this question: Where do you think we would be if the nation had never dealt with the issue of slavery? Of course, an even greater question today is, “where would we be if those who fought for the country to be united and then “threw” slavery in to keep the slaves from fighting with the South had decided not to fight? I’m so thankful they did. For that led us to the road to freedom. And right after this war, General John Logan called for a nationwide Decoration Day to honor fallen soldiers, which led to Memorial Day.
So, I can’t personally thank them, they have departed. But I can thank God that one day someone decided that slavery needed to end and put their life and all they had on the line to see it come to an end. I thank Him for the generals, the soldiers, the medics, the infantry, and all those involved. And then I thank Him for those who fought and died in every war since then so that we can live in the freedom we have come to love. Those who served in the Army, Air Force, Navy, Marines and Coast Guards are all to be remembered for their patriotic service to our nation. America doesn’t always shine as beautiful as it could, but it is truly the home of the brave and the free and I am glad to be a citizen.
Memorial Day also causes me to think of those who died in the faith for the King of Kings to promote and establish His kingdom. They saw the world in which they lived and then they believed God to help them to live victoriously in it.
They walked out their faith, they stood against demonic forces, they were delivered from the hand of the enemy and some died before seeing the promise come into manifestation. But we see them as our heroes of faith! Those who dared to trust God in the midst of situations that don’t even seem real, and yet they prevailed because of Him.
As I walked today and thought about those who died that I might live, of course I thought of my greatest hero, Jesus! And then the song came to my mind, “Oh happy day! When Jesus washed my sins away!” He had to die and get up out of the grave for that to happen. And He is alive! But He did die for my freedom and I honor Him most of all!
Before you close your eyes and end this day, thank God for His freedom, bought by the precious Blood of Jesus! Then thank Him for your physical freedom, bought by the life blood of so many men and women who sacrificed their lives that ours might be free. God bless you this Memorial Day! Honor and remember! Wonderful Jesus!!
Wonderful Jesus! 