Memorial Day is a day set aside to remember those who have died while serving in the United States Armed Forces. Secondarily, it is also appropriate to recognize all servicemen & women who by mere entrance into the military have been willing to give their lives in service to our great country (especially those who have been deployed into combat situations). It is fitting to honor and bring attention to those who have given their lives in the service. There is no greater price that can be paid than to give one’s life for the benefit of others. As Jesus said, “Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends.” (John 15:13) 

To all of those who gave your life so that I might be free: Thank you. 

To all of those who were willing to give your life as well so that I might be free: Thank you. 

To all the families who have lost a loved one: Thank you. 

To all of the families who had to be without a loved one for a long time, and who still struggle with the effects of war and service: Thank you. 

I especially want to honor two specific people that have been close to me in my life. First, my Grandfather (Roy Robinson), who passed away last year at 100 years old. He was born and raised in Illinois and joined the U.S. Navy to serve in WW2. This was followed by a 20 year military career (retired as a Chief). He didn’t talk much about his time in the military, but I’m sure he had many close calls sailing in the pacific during a time of war. He was a very steady, kind and sacrificial man. I’m thankful for the household that he built and for his service to his country and family. May the Lord Jesus help us to live in a way that honors your service. 

I also want to honor my brother in law, Steve McDonough. Steve reluctantly joined the Army in the aftermath of 9/11. He went as a result of feeling led by God to join. He was deployed twice to Afghanistan and experienced all of the horrors of war. Steve and his family have sacrificed so much in love for our country. He has borne the burden of many serious, ongoing physical health issues as a result of his service. The McDonough family is one of the sweetest families I know, who live to serve others, and most of the time under the radar without much recognition. Since retirement Steve and his family have given many years in serving military members in various ways. We love you guys and are so thankful for all that you have sacrificed in the path that you’ve walked with the Lord.        

How can we honor? 

Perhaps the greatest way to honor those who have died is to not abuse the freedoms they helped to secure. The Scriptures say, “For, brethren, ye have been called unto liberty; only use not liberty for an occasion to the flesh, but by love serve one another. For all the law is fulfilled in one word, even in this; Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself” (Galatians 5:13-14). It is a blessing to be free. Freedom is never free, it always comes at a cost. Those before us courageously and sacrificially did their part to do what was necessary to keep evil at bay enough for us to live in peace. Of course, our nation is in many ways a sinking ship, but we still enjoy the benefits of their service in many ways. So don’t use your freedom to live selfishly with fleshly, ungodly living, but rather use it to build upon, to make your life, your family and our country better and stronger. It reminds me of a man who lived righteously and worked wisely and diligently throughout his life, in order to pass down to his children a strong inheritance. The kids can either continue the tradition to strengthen the estate and make it greater than their father, or they can squander the bounty and end up miserable and broke. We should strive to be the faithful children, who are grateful for our prosperity, and use it to engage in lifestyles that tend towards growth and prosperity. Honor God. You are free to worship God, so worship him. Love the Bible: read it, live it. Be grateful for everything. Use your freedom to work hard and to serve others in some way. Strive to live in moral purity. Goldiness tends towards more freedom, ungodliness to slavery.  

Another way is to follow their example. It may not be your calling in life to join the military, but find a cause that is worth you giving your life for. The best place to look here is to the Son of God, Jesus Christ. He left all to be humbled in death so that a lost, fallen world could be saved and set free. We still live in a fallen world that needs to be saved and set free. Allow the love of Christ to sink into your heart and transform you. Let God give you a love for your friends and enemies, a love that desires them to be saved. Learn of Jesus and follow in his footsteps. 

To those whose hearts ache today because of the tragedy of war – May the God of heaven, the commander of the universe, give you a peace that passes all understanding. May your heart be comforted today and at rest. 

And finally, may God revive our nation by His mighty mercy and grace, so that we, as a whole, can rightly see what is good and what is evil. May we have the grace to be humble, to repent of our sins; courage to confront the evil in our own hearts and then the following boldness to confront evil in our neighborhoods, our states and around the world. May this occur, so that those who do desire to defend their country will have the utmost assurance that what they are fighting for is truly justice and righteousness. May the battles of our nation truly be the battles of the Lord. “Father, make your Name, your reputation, honored and recognized in this land. May all of its people bow down in humble reverence at the feet of Jesus Christ. May your kingdom of love, peace, joy and righteousness come to this place. May this be a land that reminds all other lands of the heaven that is to come. Amen.”