Honor

May 27, 2014 Frank Crosby

Thomas Jefferson once asked, “Can the liberties of a nation be secure, when we have removed the conviction that these liberties are the gift of God?”

“Four score and seven years ago our fathers brought forth, upon this continent, a new nation, conceived in Liberty, and dedicated to the proposition that all men are created equal. Now we are engaged in a great civil war, testing whether that nation, or any nation so conceived, and so dedicated, can long endure. We are met on a great battle-field of that war. We have come to dedicate a portion of that field, as a final resting-place for those who here gave their lives, that that nation might live . . . It is for us the living, rather, to be dedicated here to the unfinished work which they who fought here, have, thus far, so nobly advanced. It is rather for us to be here dedicated to the great task remaining before us – that from these honored dead we take increased devotion to that cause for which they here gave the last full measure of devotion – that we here highly resolve that these dead shall not have died in vain – that this nation, under God, shall have a new birth of freedom – and that government of the people, by the people, for the people shall not perish from the earth.”

(a portion of Lincoln’s Gettysburg Address)

Since the days of the Civil War, Memorial Day, originally called Decoration Day, is a day of remembrance for those men and women who have continued to give their lives in our nation’s service. It is a day to remember, reflect, and honor those who have given their all in service to their country. May they also not have died in vain.

Notice that great leaders of the past did not forget to Whom they owed the liberties they enjoyed and neither should we. “I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America, and to the Republic for which it stands, one nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all.” “My country ‘tis of thee, sweet land of liberty, of thee we sing: Land where our fathers died, land of the pilgrim’s pride, from every mountain side let freedom ring! Our father’s God to Thee, Author of Liberty, to Thee we sing: Long may our land be bright with freedom’s holy light, protect us by Thy might, Great God our King!”

As we have honored those who have given their lives for their country and the freedoms this nation has enjoyed, let us not forget to honor our God Who allowed His Son to give His life on the cross that we may enjoy the spiritual liberties He gives.

Prayer: Lord, keep us making right decisions to walk in liberty. You’ve given us Your Spirit of love, power, and self-discipline...