23 May, 2008
On this Memorial Day weekend, we remember the courageous men and women who have served our country so that we might be free.
A young woman views the numerous tombstones at Arlington National Cemetery following a Memorial Day Ceremony.
Defense Dept. photo by U.S. Air Force Tech. Sgt. Cherie A. Thurlby
Remember their sacrifice
Freedom has a price.
Joshua 4:1-9
Twelve Memorial Stones from the Jordan
4:1 When all the nation had finished passing over the Jordan, the Lord said to Joshua, 2 “Take twelve men from the people, from each tribe a man, 3 and command them, saying, ‘Take twelve stones from here out of the midst of the Jordan, from the very place where the priests' feet stood firmly, and bring them over with you and lay them down in the place where you lodge tonight.’” 4 Then Joshua called the twelve men from the people of Israel, whom he had appointed, a man from each tribe. 5 And Joshua said to them, “Pass on before the ark of the Lord your God into the midst of the Jordan, and take up each of you a stone upon his shoulder, according to the number of the tribes of the people of Israel, 6 that this may be a sign among you. When your children ask in time to come, ‘What do those stones mean to you?’ 7 then you shall tell them that the waters of the Jordan were cut off before the ark of the covenant of the Lord. When it passed over the Jordan, the waters of the Jordan were cut off. So these stones shall be to the people of Israel a memorial forever.”
8 And the people of Israel did just as Joshua commanded and took up twelve stones out of the midst of the Jordan, according to the number of the tribes of the people of Israel, just as the Lord told Joshua. And they carried them over with them to the place where they lodged and laid them down there. 9 And Joshua set up twelve stones in the midst of the Jordan, in the place where the feet of the priests bearing the ark of the covenant had stood; and they are there to this day. (ESV)
Joshua records the story of the Lord's leading of the Israelites. It's a story of conquest and fulfillment for God's people. After many years of slavery in Egypt and 40 years in the desert, the Israelites were finally allowed to enter the land promised to their fathers. At last, freedom was a reality! But, numerous battles had to be fought for that freedom.
Without God's power and blessings, there would not have been freedom for His chosen people. Without God's power and blessings, our country would not be free today.
How will you use this Memorial Day weekend to remember the sacrifice of our service men and women and the blessings of God upon our country?
- Thank God for our freedom.
- Pray for the Veterans in our country as they remember their sacrifice and service.
- Pray for those who are serving our country all over the world. Pray especially for the safety of those serving in Iraq. Pray for their families and friends back home.
- Pray for wisdom and courage for our President and other leaders in our government. Pray for peace. Pray for our enemies. Pray that people will come to know Christ as their Savior through the conflicts around the world.
How can we connect today's story and God's Story and our story to others?
- Every time you see our American flag, pray for those serving our country.
- Regardless of any political views, write a letter of thanks and encouragement and prayer to someone you know who is serving in the Armed Forces.
- Go visit a Veteran and tell him/her thank you. Listen to their story and thank God for freedom.
- May 2012 [14]
- April 2012 [19]
- March 2012 [21]
- February 2012 [19]
- January 2012 [18]
- December 2011 [20]
- November 2011 [15]
- October 2011 [15]
- September 2011 [14]
- August 2011 [22]
- July 2011 [19]
- June 2011 [21]
- May 2011 [20]
- April 2011 [20]
- March 2011 [21]
- February 2011 [20]
- January 2011 [21]
- December 2010 [21]
- November 2010 [21]
- October 2010 [21]
- September 2010 [22]
- August 2010 [21]
- July 2010 [22]
- June 2010 [20]
- May 2010 [18]
- April 2010 [20]
- March 2010 [23]
- February 2010 [19]
- January 2010 [22]
- December 2009 [22]
- November 2009 [21]
- October 2009 [22]
- September 2009 [21]
- August 2009 [20]
- July 2009 [21]
- June 2009 [22]
- May 2009 [18]
- April 2009 [15]
- March 2009 [7]
- February 2009 [17]
- January 2009 [20]
- December 2008 [23]
- November 2008 [19]
- October 2008 [22]
- September 2008 [22]
- August 2008 [19]
- July 2008 [22]
- June 2008 [11]
- May 2008 [19]
- April 2008 [22]
- March 2008 [21]
- February 2008 [18]
- January 2008 [20]
- December 2007 [18]
- November 2007 [15]
- October 2007 [19]
- September 2007 [18]
- August 2007 [12]
- July 2007 [12]
- June 2007 [9]
- May 2007 [11]
- April 2007 [10]
- March 2007 [11]
- February 2007 [14]
- January 2007 [7]
- December 2006 [4]
- November 2006 [13]
- October 2006 [17]
- September 2006 [11]
- August 2006 [16]
- July 2006 [10]
- June 2006 [3]
