Hebrews 11:13,14 “These all died in faith, not having received the promises, but having seen them afar off, and were persuaded of them, and embraced them, and confessed that they were strangers and pilgrims on the earth. For they that say such things declare plainly that they seek a country.”
Although most people look at Memorial Day as another holiday, the day does have a dark side to it that everyone in America needs to remember. It is a day when we ought to take a few minutes to remember and realize that the freedom we enjoy today is neither cheap nor without a heavy toll. It cost many lives – and some of them may be your relatives and children. May it never be forgotten that the freedoms we enjoy today can still be lost.
Tens of thousands of our men and women have given their lives to fight against the enemies of freedom. Most likely they did not know that it would cost them so much when they joined the military, but nevertheless, they gave all when duty demanded it.
Thanks to them and their sacrifice Americans are still free. Many are still giving their lives every week because they joined the most powerful military in the world and duty has placed them in harm’s way. In our world of tyrants and evil men who aspire to enslave others to their ideologies or whims of conquering the world, such sacrifice will continue to be needed.
The same is also true in the Christian realm. Although we do not take up arms, yet there is a long list of those who have suffered much loss for the cause of Christ and the Gospel. Hebrews 11 contains a long list of names of believers who were faithful in living for God. They have showed us how to live and keep on going for Christ. May we remember daily in prayer those who are suffering now for the Name of Christ.
The believer’s salvation and freedom, of course, was purchased by Jesus Christ Who died for us. Though innocent, He took our place and died as a criminal – even though He was the sinless Son of God. He never complained of the price – even though He knew what it would cost the whole time He was on earth. Since then, He has been exalted to the right hand of the Father.
May we, as His followers, walk as He walked and live as He lived so that others may also learn of and come to enjoy the same freedom we enjoy. Others will walk in our steps one day, and may the next generation keep the faith even as they were shown how by our lives.
The saints mentioned in Hebrews 11 “all died in faith.” It is a glorious epitaph of their faithfulness. One day, our loved ones will have a memorial of us as we pass on to glory – but will we be remembered in a Christ-honoring way or as one that went AWOL from the calling of God?