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.