Memorial Day for Servants of God
A commentary by Jerold Aust
God remembers His faithful and fallen servants. In Hebrews 11 we find a list of some of the true heroes of faith.
A grieving mother expresses her pain for the loss of her son who died in Iraq in July 2007. From usatoday.com, here are her words:
"It has been three months today that you have been laid to rest. The pain still persists and has not eased one bit ... I have cried and cried until my eyes have dried.
"But because of our loving God and the Grace he provides us, I am able to get out of bed and care for your brothers. I am able, by his Grace, to lift my head high and be PROUD of my son, Dane, for he IS a HERO in the minds and hearts of so many.
"Love, Mom"
Memorial Day in America
America has just observed another Memorial Day to commemorate its fallen servicemen. This custom began following the Civil War when families in local communities gathered to honor those who had lost their lives in that struggle.
Congressman John A. Logan, a retired general, was exceptionally instrumental in officially instituting Memorial Day on May 5, 1868 as a time for the entire nation to honor its fallen soldiers.
A Book of Remembrance
God also remembers His faithful and fallen servants. In Hebrews 11 we find a list of some of the true heroes of faith. They include some of His outstanding servants from the time of Abel to Enoch and from Noah to the time of Abraham and Sarah. Tribute to Isaac, Jacob, Joseph and Moses is also given (verses 4-11, 20-26).
Unable to list every biblical hero, the author of Hebrews comments: "And what more shall I say? For the time would fail me to tell of Gideon and Barak and Samson and Jephthah, also of David and Samuel and the prophets ..." (verse 32).
God also memorializes all of His faithful servants with a special book of remembrance. "Then those who feared the Lord spoke to one another, and the Lord listened and heard them; so a book of remembrance was written before Him for those who fear the Lord and who meditate on His name" (Malachi:3:16Then they that feared the LORD spake often one to another: and the LORD hearkened, and heard it, and a book of remembrance was written before him for them that feared the LORD, and that thought upon his name.).
The hope of the dead
Yes, God never forgets His faithful servants (Luke:12:4-7[4]And I say unto you my friends, Be not afraid of them that kill the body, and after that have no more that they can do.[5]But I will forewarn you whom ye shall fear: Fear him, which after he hath killed hath power to cast into hell; yea, I say unto you, Fear him.[6]Are not five sparrows sold for two farthings, and not one of them is forgotten before God?[7]But even the very hairs of your head are all numbered. Fear not therefore: ye are of more value than many sparrows.). He never forsakes them (1 Samuel:12:22For the LORD will not forsake his people for his great name's sake: because it hath pleased the LORD to make you his people.). He knows those who are His (2 Timothy:2:19Nevertheless the foundation of God standeth sure, having this seal, The Lord knoweth them that are his. And, Let every one that nameth the name of Christ depart from iniquity.). He views them as the apple of His eye (Zechariah:2:8For thus saith the LORD of hosts; After the glory hath he sent me unto the nations which spoiled you: for he that toucheth you toucheth the apple of his eye.).
He also shows that the present world is not worthy of the ultimate sacrifice made by so many of His faithful servants (Hebrews:11:38(Of whom the world was not worthy:) they wandered in deserts, and in mountains, and in dens and caves of the earth.). Were it not for their faithfulness we are told that no flesh would saved alive at the end of the great tribulation (Matthew:24:22And except those days should be shortened, there should no flesh be saved: but for the elect's sake those days shall be shortened.).
Yet Jesus said, "Truly, truly, I say to you, an hour is coming and now is, when the dead shall hear the voice of the Son of God; and those who hear shall live ... Do not marvel at this; for an hour is coming, in which all who are in the tombs shall hear His voice, and shall come forth; those who did the good deeds to a resurrection of life, those who committed the evil deeds to a resurrection of judgment" (John:5:25-29[25]Verily, verily, I say unto you, The hour is coming, and now is, when the dead shall hear the voice of the Son of God: and they that hear shall live.[26]For as the Father hath life in himself; so hath he given to the Son to have life in himself;[27]And hath given him authority to execute judgment also, because he is the Son of man.[28]Marvel not at this: for the hour is coming, in the which all that are in the graves shall hear his voice,[29]And shall come forth; they that have done good, unto the resurrection of life; and they that have done evil, unto the resurrection of damnation., New American Standard Bible).
Spiritual warfare
All Christians have battles to fight. The apostle Paul explains the purpose of that spiritual warfare.
"For though we live in the world, we do not wage war as the world does. The weapons we fight with are not the weapons of the world. On the contrary, they have divine power to demolish strongholds. We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ" (2 Corinthians:10:3-5[3]For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war after the flesh:[4](For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds;)[5]Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ;, New Revised Standard Version).
Dedicated Christians are told: "Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but ... against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places" (Ephesians:6:11-12[11]Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.[12]For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.).
Where are the trumpets, the bands, the readings, the speeches and the fanfare for those who gave their lives in the service of God? Even though at the present time there may be no special ceremonies to honor them they will never be forgotten by God.
A mother's grief turned to joy
This commentary began with a mother's sorrow for her fallen son. The Scriptures assure us that she and her son will one day be reunited; and their reunion will be joyous.
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