2015 May 25 - Morning Manna

And David lamented with this lamentation over Saul and over Jonathan his son: (Also he bade them teach the children of Judah the use of the bow: behold, it is written in the book of Jasher.) The beauty of Israel is slain upon thy high places: how are the mighty fallen! Tell it not in Gath, publish it not in the streets of Askelon; lest the daughters of the Philistines rejoice, lest the daughters of the uncircumcised triumph. Ye mountains of Gilboa, let there be no dew, neither let there be rain, upon you, nor fields of offerings: for there the shield of the mighty is vilely cast away, the shield of Saul, as though he had not been anointed with oil. From the blood of the slain, from the fat of the mighty, the bow of Jonathan turned not back, and the sword of Saul returned not empty. Saul and Jonathan were lovely and pleasant in their lives, and in their death they were not divided: they were swifter than eagles, they were stronger than lions. Ye daughters of Israel, weep over Saul, who clothed you in scarlet, with other delights, who put on ornaments of gold upon your apparel. How are the mighty fallen in the midst of the battle! O Jonathan, thou wast slain in thine high places. I am distressed for thee, my brother Jonathan: very pleasant hast thou been unto me: thy love to me was wonderful, passing the love of women. How are the mighty fallen, and the weapons of war perished! (2 Samuel 1:17-27)

Today's Morsel:. Memorial Day is not to be confused with Veteran's Day.  Memorial Day is a day of remembering the men and women who died while serving, while Veteran's Day celebrates the service of all U.S. military veterans.  And so today we honor those who have fallen in the service of our nation for the freedom and security of our nation and its people.  It will be a day of sadness, celebration, and activities around the world.  But we must not forget the ultimate sacrifice paid by those who have fallen.
When David was told that Saul and Jonathan had been killed in battle, David lamented and wrote this poem, "How are the mighty fallen in the midst of the battle!"  Because  of his love for his friend and fellow soldier Jonathan, he wrote, "O Jonathan, thou wast slain in thine high places. I am distressed for thee, my brother Jonathan: very pleasant hast thou been unto me: thy love to me was wonderful, passing the love of women. How are the mighty fallen, and the weapons of war perished!"   He said, teach the children.  We, too, must teach the children.  We must not only use this day as a day of celebration and activities, but we must use it to teach the next generation why this day is of such importance.  No my friend, freedom is not free. Someone has paid the ultimate sacrifice by giving their life that we might live and enjoy the freedom and liberty that we have.  Will you pray for the families of those who have lost their loved ones so that you can enjoy today's liberties and freedoms?  Will you also pray for the safety of the men and women of our armed forces and then share with your family and friends why this day is of utmost importance?   

Sing: He paid a debt He did not owe, I owed a debt I could not pay, I needed someone to wash my sins away. I now I sing a brand new song, amazing grace, for Jesus paid a debt, that I could never pay.

Thought for Today: Poem by John McCrae, May 1915

In Flanders fields the poppies blow
Between the crosses, row on row,
That mark our place; and in the sky
The larks, still bravely singing, fly
Scarce heard amid the guns below.

We are the Dead. Short days ago
We lived, felt dawn, saw sunset glow,
Loved and were loved, and now we lie
In Flanders fields.

Take up our quarrel with the foe:
To you from failing hands we throw
The torch; be yours to hold it high.
If ye break faith with us who die
We shall not sleep, though poppies grow
In Flanders fields.