Are We Willing to Stand, to Fight, to Die—for our LORD God?
“Protect me, God, for I take
(Psalm 16: 1-2 NASB)
refuge in You.
I said to the LORD, “You are my Lord;
I have nothing good besides You.”
Lt. Col. Brian Birdwell was severely burned on 9/11 when terrorists flew a plane into the Pentagon. In honor of Memorial Day, Birdwell said:
“The character of the nation is not defined by what you see in the checkout line magazines. . . .
The character of the nation is defined by those who, without notoriety, put on the uniform and deploy to far-distant lands and endure the harshest conditions.
Character is defined by the 1 percent who put on that uniform.”
DECORATION DAY—
From 1861 through 1865, our nation intimately knew the tragedies endured due to war.
More than 600,000 service members (both Union & Confederate) lost their lives during battle.
This day of “remembrance” stems from the American Civil War.
“Decoration Day” began on May 30, 1868.
Fast forward to May 2023.
MEMORIAL DAY—
The Federal Aviation Administration reports that more than 51,000 flights will be taken during the holiday weekend.
“Decoration Day” and all its symbolic significance has become a time of holiday, travel, and fun.
Memorial Day (the new title once the holiday was moved to the last weekend in May) has become a time for “sales,” for “gardening,” and for “picnicking.”
“Decoration Day” has lost its symbolic significance.
Retired Navy SEAL Jason Redman who fought in Iraq and Afghanistan has thirty (30) names tattooed on his arm. One might ask: Why? Whose names?
Redman reports the why & the who: “for every guy that I personally knew that died.”
In God’s Word, we have the opportunity to read accounts of those who lived before us, those who willing stood, willing put on the “armor of God,” willing stepped into battle, and willing gave their lives—for our LORD God. In fact, we could read one chapter a day (almost an entire month of reading) from the Acts of the Apostles, and as we read these chapters, we would be reminded of the men and women who stood, fought, and gave of themselves for the spread of the Gospel.
Without their willingness, I would not know Jesus Christ as Savior today!
“As they were speaking to the people, the priests and the captain of the temple guard and the Sadducees came up to them,
(Acts of the Apostles 4: 1-4 NASB)
being greatly disturbed because they were teaching the people and proclaiming in Jesus the resurrection from the dead.
And they laid hands on them and put them in prison until the next day, for it was already evening.
But many of those who had heard the message believed;
And the number of the men came to be about five thousand.”
Are We Willing to Stand, to Fight, to Die—for our LORD God?
- This “Holy Day” I honor the men and women who gave their testimonies so that I could come to know God.
- This “Decoration Day” & this “Memorial Day” holiday I honor the men and women who came before me: those who gave their lives so I could enjoy the freedoms afforded me in this great American nation.
- As I honor and remember the sacrifice of all 600,000 of the fallen soldiers of the Civil War, I also honor with a moment of silence, with a walk through a National Cemetery, and with the raising of the American flag: those who gave their lives during the American Revolution, the War of 1812, the Civil War, the Korean War, the Vietnam War, Desert Storm, Iraqi Enduring Freedom, the Afghanistan War, and all the wars I have failed to list.
- As I honor and thank all the service men and women who raised their right hand & willingly serve.
“Character is defined by the 1 percent who put on that uniform.”
“Then Peter, filled with the Holy Spirit, said to them, “Rulers and elders of the people,
(Acts of the Apostles 4: 8-10 NASB)
if we are on trial today for a benefit done to a sick man, as to how this man has been made well,
let it be known to all of you and to all the people of Israel,
that by the name of Jesus Christ the Nazarene,
whom you crucified,
whom God raised from the dead—
by this name this man stands here before you in good health.”
- Are We Willing to Stand, to Fight, to Die—for our LORD God?
- Walking in faith by the Holy Spirit means our lives will be lived for Jesus!
- Living by the Spirit means our lives will display the character of Jesus!
- Stepping forward, taking a stand, going into battle against the devil & his lies means our lives will count for the Savior Jesus Christ!
“He is the STONE WHICH WAS REJECTED by you, THE BUILDERS, but WHICH BECAME THE CHIEF CORNERSTONE.
(Acts of the Apostles 4: 11-12 NASB)
And there is salvation in no one else;
For there is no other name under heaven
that has been given among mankind
by which we must be saved.”
Are We Willing to Stand, to Fight, to Die—for our LORD God?
- Prophets said the Messiah would come!
- Jesus Came!
- Jesus Lived, Walked, Dwelt Among Mankind!
- Jesus Was Crucified, Giving His Life So We Could Have Eternal Life!
- Jesus Died!
- God Raised Jesus to New Life!
- Jesus Was Seen by More than 500 Witnesses!
- Jesus Ascended Back to Heaven & Sat Down on the Right Side of God!
- One Day Soon—Jesus Will Come Again—HE WILL!
May We Be Willing to Stand, to Testify, to Fight for the Truth of God to be Heard, to Declare the Truth until Our Final Breath, to Give of Ourselves, to Give the Sacrifice of Our Lives—for our LORD God!
- May we take inventory of our lives today. &
- May we give our lives, our time, our talents, our skills, our gifts of the Holy Spirit to service.
May we honor our LORD God!
- May we share our testimony as we sow the seed of God’s Goodness.
- May we Be Willing to Take a Stand—for our LORD God!
- May we Be Willing to Put on the Armor of God & Fight—for our LORD God!
- May we Be Willing to Die so that others can come to know—our LORD God!
May We Be Willing!
The psalmist David wrote these words to remind us today “Decoration/Memorial Day” and on every day we live—how we are to focus ourselves.
“I have set the LORD
(Psalm 16: 8-11 NASB)
continually before me;
Because He is at my right hand,
I will not be shaken.
Therefore my heart is glad
and my glory rejoices;
My flesh also will dwell securely.
For You will not abandon
my soul to Sheol;
You will not allow Your Holy
One to undergo decay.
You will make known to
me the way of life;
In Your presence is fullness of joy;
In Your right hand there are
pleasures forever.”