Memorials

Given May 23, 2015

We are celebrating Memorial Day but what do we think of on this day? A day off from work, cookouts, the military? Webster’s Collegiate Dictionary defines a memorial as: Something that keeps remembrance alive: as a monument. When we see a monument or picture, we remember the significance from the past that the item represents. Officially becoming a holiday in 1971, the last Monday in May honors men and women who died while serving in the U.S. military. Tomorrow, we remember and honor those great Americans.

The Bible is full of memorials; things that remind us of God’s mercy and grace in the past. The first memorial is the rainbow that God set in the sky to remind HIMSELF of his promise, (Genesis 9:13-16). Communion is another one; our remembrance of what Jesus did for us, Jesus said, “this do in remembrance of me.” (Luke 22:19-20). Many times God’s people set up an altar or memorial to remind them of God’s goodness. In Joshua 4:1-7 after they crossed the Jordan River, God had Joshua to command the Israelites to set up twelve stones as a memorial. When the children would see the stones and ask what they were, the adults could tell the story of how God delivered them from the Egyptians.

The flood, the death of Jesus and the exodus were all troubling and difficult times but God takes care of His people. They see the memorial and remember that God is good and is on their side. Is there something in your past that was bad but God brought you through it? If you’re saved, your pre-Jesus life was bad. Think of a time when God brought you through. Now, choose something for your memorial: a rock, a picture, a tree, a pocket cross, something that, when you see it, you will be reminded of what God did for you. And, when the devil comes reminding you of something in your past, show him your memorial and say, “Look what the Lord has done!” “So Devil…you can leave now.”