Corona Devo 1548

Praise be to the Lord my Rock, who trains my hands for war, my fingers for battle.  (2) He is my loving God and my fortress, my stronghold and my deliverer, my shield, in whom I take refuge...  ~Psalm 144:1-2

~~~

Memorial Day means hot dogs and burgers.  Parades and picnics.  Red, white and blue t-shirts, and American flags on the front lawn.  

But Memorial Day should also mean much more than these "holiday" things and a Monday day-off.  Memorial Day was meant to mean much more. 

Since post-Civil War times, the last Monday in May in America has been set aside in order to honor those who lost their lives while serving in the American military.  

Our memories of Memorial Day might include going to decorate graves, or riding our decorated bikes in town parades.

But I hope that today we will remember more than gravestones and traditions, and that we might salute the soldiers who gave the ultimate price for our Nation's freedom.  For our freedom.

Not everyone is called to be a soldier or to serve in the military, but for those who were (and no longer "are"): we remember them today on Memorial Day.

Today is a memorial to them. 

Precious in the sight of the Lord is the death of His saints.  ~Psalm 116:15

~~~

Since the dawn of Creation, men and women have had sin...  Which means that people and civilizations have had strife with each other...  Which has caused men and women to be at war with each other... Which means that we need soldiers: those who are called into duty and purpose for their Nation.  

~~~

“When you go out to battle against your enemies, and see horses and chariots and people more numerous than you, do not be afraid of them; for the Lord your God is with you, who brought you up from the land of Egypt. (2) So it shall be, when you are on the verge of battle, that the priest shall approach and speak to the people. (3) And he shall say to them, ‘Hear, O Israel: Today you are on the verge of battle with your enemies. Do not let your heart faint, do not be afraid, and do not tremble or be terrified because of them; (4) for the Lord your God is He who goes with you, to fight for you against your enemies, to save you.’  ~Deuteronomy 20:1-4   

David was called by the Lord to be a soldier and a warrior.  He reigned as king over the Israelites for forty years, and throughout that time and his battles, he sought the instruction of the Lord, and he fought for the Lord.  

May every military person in service do the same, and we remember today those (including David!) who have gone before us and served both the Lord and their country.

Now when the Philistines heard that they had anointed David king over Israel, all the Philistines went up to search for David. And David heard of it and went down to the stronghold. (18) The Philistines also went and deployed themselves in the Valley of Rephaim. (19) So David inquired of the Lord, saying, “Shall I go up against the Philistines? Will You deliver them into my hand?”  

And the Lord said to David, “Go up, for I will doubtless deliver the Philistines into your hand.” 

(20) So David went to Baal Perazim, and David defeated them there; and he said, “The Lord has broken through my enemies before me, like a breakthrough of water.”  ~2 Samuel 5:17-20

~~~

We are grateful for the many gifts that God gives people, and for the calling to be in service to our Country.

Praise be to the Lord my Rock, who trains my hands for war, my fingers for battle.  (2) He is my loving God and my fortress, my stronghold and my deliverer, my shield, in whom I take refuge...  ~Psalm 144:1-2

We are grateful for the courage, strength, and diligence of those who gave their lives in service to our Nation.  

Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be frightened, and do not be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.”  ~Joshua 1:9

"Freedom is never more than one generation away from extinction. We didn't pass it to our children in the bloodstream. It must be fought for, protected, and handed on for them to do the same." –Ronald Reagan

We are grateful today for those who were and are called to military service.  We lift up a thought-memorial and heart-memorial to them today on Memorial Day.  


Blessings,

sarah

https://sarahsundy04.blogspot.com

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Corona Devo 1156

Image
At work, we provide Trainings for customers, so that they can be updated and educated on all of the latest features (and how to use them) within our product.  Many companies do this--sharing "Best Practices" are a way to ensure positive outcomes on the customer and vendor sides of things. My kids often offer me "life hacks" that they have learned from watching an online video promising to "save time" and "make your life easier".  And just this week, my husband enlightened me about the "tear-away" feature built into most plastic rings holding cans/bottles of pop or Gatorade together.  When separated, the plastic rips open easily, releasing the bottle--saving wildlife that might be caught if it is discarded as trash, and saving me  frustration or angst because I no longer have to pull with all my might to get a bottle out of the plastic rings.  ( Who knew? )  Life hacks do save time and make your life easier! Who couldn't benefit from...
Read more

Corona Devo 1217

Image
The unanswered “why’s” of life, the disorder of our days, and even the unfairness of our struggles can cause us to question ourselves and also to question our God. But the order-of-Creation and the systems that God has set in place are undeniable answers that swing back and forth like God’s pendulum-reminder that He set the world in motion, and He continues to keep order, even when it seems as if we and our world are in dis- order.   Job was a man going through some heavy and hard stuff.   Maybe we are too.   Job’s trials had caused him to question the order of life, and possibly God’s dominion over it.   We can relate.   The “Why’s?” and the “Why Me’s” can stack up in our minds and hearts, but like a parent exercising loving-authority over a child, God reminds Job and us--of His power, omniscience and of His ultimate authority over everything: Creation… and us today .   Then the  Lord  answered Job from the whirlwind: (2) “Who i...
Read more

Corona Devo 991

Running low on " good things " today?  Doesn't it (sometimes) seem like/trend like/read like/tweet like/water-cooler-chat or backyard-fence-visit like/intimidate like/depress like... there are no  good things in the land? . I know. It's no secret that many have abandoned  the Law of the  Lord,  and at times, that's us .   It is evident all around us that people have  followed each other  in this sin.  When we look around...or when we live our days...we can wonder: Are there  any  good things  left in the land? There are still some good things in the land ...and no matter how bleak we feel the "forecast" for today is...there will always  be  some good things in the land, because God is in the land.   T he Bible reminds us of that today.   ~~~ The Israelites (and their king, Rehoboam ) were God's people, but like all of us at times/seasons of our lives...they wandered from Lord and His ways....
Read more