I remembered my songs in the night. My heart meditated and my spirit asked: “Will the Lord reject forever? Will he never show his favor again? Has his unfailing love vanished forever? Has his promise failed for all time? Has God forgotten to be merciful? Has he in anger withheld his compassion? ”
Psalm 77:6-9 (NIV)
Father, even as Asaph pined over the plight of Israel in a time when it felt as if You were far off, I pine over this country as I look at what appears to be a blatant departure from doing what is right and decent. I’m not speaking of governments, Father, because I expect nothing more than what I am seeing. My heart grieves over the condition of the church. Christ’s words in Mark 12:29-31 seem to have been replaced by the notion of loving God first, then loving nation second, and finally loving neighbors, but only those who look like us! And as we, who have not forgotten Your grace, cry for help, it seems like You have forgotten us, that You have rejected us, that Your favor has left us.
As my soul feels this way how appropriate that this day is deemed Memorial Day, a day set aside to remember those who gave their lives for this country. And yes Father I appreciate all that they have done. And like the freed slaves in 1865 who had the first Memorial Day celebration in this country, it is not lost on me what was secured for me by the sacrifice of those who have served our country. But today, what I truly want to remember is not just their sacrifice but Yours!
On this Memorial Day my soul most importantly remembers the Promised One, the Messiah, my Savior, Jesus, Who came and dwelt amongst us, Who showed us the best and only way to Your heart! For You love us so much that You sent HIM! And He loved You and us so much that He died for us! Truly, a sacrifice worth remembering! And through His death, You are reconciling this world to Yourself. And, like Asaph, I can encourage my heart in the midst of the mess of now by remembering Your miracles of long ago, considering, even now, all Your mighty deeds in my midst (Psalm 77:10-12).
So on this Memorial Day I thank You, Father, for all that You have done for me. I am free not just because soldiers laid down their lives for me. Though I truly appreciate it and thank and praise You for them, my ultimate freedom came through Jesus the Christ, Who laid down His life for me. And I glory today in the fact that He didn’t stay in that grave but rose up in power! Glory to His Name! And one day, what I am feeling today will be a distant memory as I look back and marvel how You, through Your Holy Spirit, have worked out all these things for our good. Thank You for memory. Amen.