Hosanna Restoration Church

This is Memorial Day weekend in America. This is a time when we are supposed to remember all those who have given their lives in service of our country. Unfortunately, it seems that more people get wrapped up in the idea of a long weekend and picnics and camping. These would all be great things as long as the real purpose of the weekend is not forgotten. This year there will probably me more attention paid to the day because of the current state of our Nation and world.

As I considered this, I was reminded that the Bible often mentions memorials. This particular scripture refers to the memorial that God directed Joshua to build after Israel passed through the Jordan River on dry ground. God told them to take twelve stones from the middle of the river and place them on the shore. He also told them to take another twelve stones and place them in the middle of the river where the priests who carried the ark had stood while the people crossed over. God told them that this was to be a reminder of the power of God and of the favor that God had shown them.

As I considered the rocks in the middle of the river it seemed to me that God had them build that one because He knew how quickly people forget and also how prone we are toward doubting the impossible. I imagined that in the years ahead a child asking about the pile of rocks on the shore and being told of the miracle. I imagined the child saying, “yah right!” I then imagined the father taking the child out into the river and finding the pile in the middle of the river and being able to say, “see, there is your proof.”

If anyone doubts the meaning of Memorial Day, all they have to do is go to a cemetery and see all the stones of memorial. You cannot deny it once you have really looked at the stones. I pray that we all will take a good look this year and every year. They mean just as much when we are at peace as when we are at war.

There is another memorial that God has left for all of us. And that memorial is the Name of Jesus. Just as this scripture says that those rocks were placed so that people might know the power of God and the fear of the Lord forever, so it is that God left us the Rock of our salvation as a reminder. There was no greater cost ever paid, nor was there ever any greater war fought and won, than the fight that Jesus fought to win our salvation.

If the world were to remember that and if the world were to honor the Name of Jesus and fear the Lord God, who is the true God, then this world would not be in the condition that it is. There is only one Lord and Savior, and His name is Jesus the Christ, the anointed one. To someone whose son or daughter or parent or grandparent has been killed in service of their country, they are not going to take kindly to someone saying their name is not important or that just any name on the stone will do. I believe God feels the same way.

One day, every knee will bow and every tongue will confess that Jesus is Lord. Lets remember those who paid a great price and lets lift up the Name of the one who watches over all who will call. God bless you all and may God bless America. In Jesus Name…Amen.