Courage, Unity, Hope
Each year, we gather to remember the brave lives lost in the struggle for the freedom of our country. Memorial Day, a special day etched on our calendars, is more than a moment of silence—it’s a celebration of indomitable spirit, God-given resilience, and the audacity of hope.
Have you ever considered the timeless truth of God’s promise to Joshua? When God spoke, “Have not I commanded thee? Be strong and of good courage; be not afraid, neither be thou dismayed; for the LORD thy God is with thee whithersoever thou goest” (Joshua 1:9). He was speaking to us, too.
It’s when we press on despite our struggles that we truly embody the conqueror’s spirit God instills in us.
Your greatest struggles can birth your greatest victories.
In the field, these valiant servicemen and women embody unity. They build bonds that extend beyond the ties of comradeship, bonds that remind us of the unity we find in our church families, in our communities. Unity, as expressed by the Psalmist in Psalm 133:1, is a divine gift: “Behold, how good and how pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together in unity!”
But what ignites this unity and fuels this resilient spirit? It’s hope—an unyielding belief in a brighter future, a confidence that, through God, no obstacle is insurmountable. This hope illuminates the most daunting circumstances, a light that resonates with the message in Romans 15:13 – May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.
Hope, that light at the end of the tunnel, is the fuel that drives resilience.
We respond to the resilience of these brave souls with gratitude, appreciation, and, above all, love. Love, the kind that emanates from God’s first love for us (1 John 4:19), has the power to transform lives and communities.
Prayer is a powerful force. It is through our prayers that we bless, protect, and uplift our military servicemen and women, our families, our communities, and our nation (James 5:16).
In honoring the sacrifice of our servicemen and women, we recognize our own call to service. The question is, how can we incorporate the same spirit of sacrifice into our own lives?
In this Memorial Day reflection, let’s remember the call to joy in Nehemiah 8:10 – “Go and enjoy choice food and sweet drinks, and send some to those who have nothing prepared. “Let’s honor the valiant by embodying their strengths in our lives, and by leaning on the joy of the Lord for our strength.
This Memorial Day, let’s remember and rejoice in the strength and hope of those who served.
As we move forward, let’s remember—and rejoice in—the divine promise that God is always by our side. He walks every step of the way with us. And that is worth celebrating every day.