“And what shall I more say? for the time would fail me to tell of Gedeon, and of Barak, and of Samson, and of Jephthae; of David also, and Samuel, and of the prophets: Who through faith subdued kingdoms, wrought righteousness, obtained promises, stopped the mouths of lions, Quenched the violence of fire, escaped the edge of the sword, out of weakness were made strong, waxed valiant in fight, turned to flight the armies of the aliens. Women received their dead raised to life again: and others were tortured, not accepting deliverance; that they might obtain a better resurrection: And others had trial of cruel mockings and scourgings, yea, moreover of bonds and imprisonment: They were stoned, they were sawn asunder, were tempted, were slain with the sword: they wandered about in sheepskins and goatskins; being destitute, afflicted, tormented; (Of whom the world was not worthy:) they wandered in deserts, and in mountains, and in dens and caves of the earth. And these all, having obtained a good report through faith, received not the promise: God having provided some better thing for us, that they without us should not be made perfect” (Hebrews 11:32-40)
Today’s Morsel: In the United States, Memorial Day is time for remembering the people who died while serving in the armed forces, while Veterans Day celebrates the service of all U.S. military veterans. Many people visit cemeteries and memorials on this day to honor those who have died in military service.
When it was told King David that Saul, Jonathan, and his son were killed in the battle, David wept and said, “The beauty of Israel is slain upon thy high places: how are the mighty fallen! … 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 1:19-27). Throughout history, we see that many of our military members have given the ultimate sacrifice for the freedom of their country, as well as for the liberation of others and their country. And it is on this day that we honor them. As Paul told the Hebrews, time would fail me to tell about all those who gave their life so that others might live. What a sacrifice! He told the church at Rome, “For when we were yet without strength, in due time Christ died for the ungodly. For scarcely for a righteous man will one die: yet peradventure for a good man some would even dare to die. But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us” (Romans 5:6-8). Jesus Christ was a man of war (Exodus 15:3). And He gave the ultimate sacrifice that we might live. We should always give Him, as well as others, honor for both our spiritual and natural freedoms.
Sing: Jesus paid it all, all to Him I owe; Sin had left a crimson stain, He washed it white as snow.
Thought For Today: Freedom is not free!
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