On Behalf Of A Grateful Nation

What is Memorial Day to you? Is it a day off work or a cookout with the family? Memorial Day should be a solemn time for all Americans as we remember and reflect on the more than 1 million men and women who paid the ultimate sacrifice for our freedom. As a country, we owe a tremendous debt of gratitude for the price they were willing to pay. Following are three ways I feel we can best remember their memory.

A Day of Humility
Memorial Day should be marked by humility. If we are not careful, American’s can be far too prideful and haughty. There is a great difference between being proud and being arrogant. While I am proud that God allowed me to be born an American Citizen, that does not mean I should be haughty about it. I should not carry myself like I am better than other nationalities.

When I think about the grace that God had in my life in bringing salvation to my sinful heart, that should cause my heart to feel grateful, not prideful. In a similar way, when we think of the fallen men and woman who have preserved our freedom, it should cause our hearts to fill with humility, not swell with pride.

A Day of Gratitude
Memorial Day should be marked by gratitude. How thankful we should be that the men and women who serve in the armed forces of our country believe that freedom is worth defending. When I think of the courageous solders who died protecting our freedom, I think of John 15:13 says, “Greater love has no one than this, that someone lay down his life for his friends.”

The best way we can regard well those who have fallen is to be thankful for their sacrifice. There may be many problems within our country. We may not like much of what we see from Washington or from our political leaders, but the one thing we can do well is to show gratitude toward the one’s who paid for our freedom.

A Day of Prayer
Memorial Day should be marked as a day of prayer. We should pray for the families of our fallen heroes. They have paid a great price for our nation as well. Pray that God will give them grace and strength and that He would grant them the “Peace of God that surpasses all understanding” Philippians 4:7. Pray that their families may experience the “God of all comfort” 2 Corinthians 1:3.

We should pray for our country according to 2 Chronicles 7:14, “If my people who are called by my name humble themselves, and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and heal their land.” The greatest way we can honor the sacrifices of our fallen service men and women is to pray for our country.

So enjoy the day off and enjoy the family cookout…but do more than enjoy. Ponder their sacrifice, pray for their families and let your heart feel the weightiness of humility and gratitude.