Morning Manna by Rufus Parker - 2024 May 27

Memorial Day

 

“Then Joshua called the twelve men, whom he had prepared of the children of Israel, out of every tribe a man: And Joshua said unto them, Pass over before the ark of the LORD your God into the midst of Jordan, and take ye up every man of you a stone upon his shoulder, according unto the number of the tribes of the children of Israel: That this may be a sign among you, that when your children ask their fathers in time to come, saying, What mean ye by these stones? Then ye shall answer them, That the waters of Jordan were cut off before the ark of the covenant of the LORD; when it passed over Jordan, the waters of Jordan were cut off: and these stones shall be for a memorial unto the children of Israel for ever.” (Joshua 4:4-7)

 

Today’s Morsel: Today across America we honor those military members who paid the ultimate sacrifice while on active duty. To explain this special day, this day does not honor military retirees, who are veterans, nor those currently serving on active duty. It is only for those who died while on active duty. So if you see a military person, whether in uniform, or those who may be wearing a hat with anything associated with the military, please do not say to them, “Happy Memorial Day.” This will dishonor their comrades who paid the ultimate sacrifice for our defense and leave those to whom you say it to confused. 

For today’s Manna, I would like to leave you with this poem. 

FREEDOM IS NOT FREE

I watched the flag pass by one day. 
It fluttered in the breeze, a young Marine saluted it, and then he stood at ease.

I looked at him in uniform, 
So young, so tall, so proud, with hair cut square and eyes alert, he'd stand out in any crowd.

I thought, how many men like him, had fallen through the years?
How many died on foreign soil? How many mothers' tears?

How many Pilots' planes shot down? How many foxholes were soldiers' graves?
No, Freedom is not free.

I heard the sound of taps one night, when everything was still. I listened to the bugler play and felt a sudden chill.

I wondered just how many times, that taps had meant "Amen" When a flag had draped a coffin of a brother or a friend.

I thought of all the children, Of the mothers and the wives, of fathers, sons and husbands with interrupted lives.

I thought about a graveyard at the bottom of the sea, of unmarked graves in Arlington. No, Freedom isn't free!!

 As you celebrate this day by visiting military cemeteries, parades, and even cookouts, remember, “Freedom is Not Free.”

 

Sing: In the beauty of the lilies Christ was born across the sea; with a glory in His bosom that transfigures you and me; as He died to make men holy, let us die to make men free; His truth is marching on.

Glory! Glory! Hallelujah, Glory! Glory! Hallelujah, Glory! Glory! Hallelujah, His Truth is marching on.

Thought For Today: “How are the mighty fallen, and the weapons of war perished!” (2 Samuel 1:27)