Memorial Day

Folks today seem to have lost some of their enthusiasm regarding Memorial
Day. I know that is a general statement and surely doesn't include everyone.
However, ask almost any young person what Memorial Day is about and they
won't be able to tell you (probably a few of the adults also). For most
folks today, it means a day off work and a big party, cook out or picnic.

What is Memorial Day? A "Memorial" is an object or action which serves as a
focus for memory of something. "Memorial Day is a federal holiday observed
annually in the United States on the last Monday of May. Formerly known as
Decoration Day, it originated after the American Civil War to commemorate
the fallen Union soldiers of the Civil War. (Southern ladies organizations
and southern schoolchildren had decorated Confederate graves in Richmond and
other cities during the Civil War, but each region had its own date. Most
dates were in May.) By the 20th century Memorial Day had been extended to
honor all Americans who have died in all wars. Memorial Day is a day of
remembering the men and women who died while serving in the United States
Armed Forces." (Wikipedia)

The idea of a memorial is not new. We find a memorial mentioned 78 times in
the Old Testament and twice in the New Testament (KJV) and it always has to
do with people's relationship to God. Whenever we do anything that focuses
our memory upon God we have a memorial to him. In Acts 10:4 we read of
Cornelius, "The angel answered, "Your prayers and gifts to the poor have
come up as a memorial offering before God."

The principle of course we want to think about is the most important
memorial, which is remembering our God. We read in Psalm 135:13, "Your name,
O LORD, endures for ever; and thy memorial, O LORD, throughout all
generations."

Let's not forget the fallen hero's of America, but more important, don't
forget a memorial to our God for his sacrifice.

Russ Lawson