Memorial Day for Servants of God
A commentary by Jerold Aust
Good News Senior Writer
 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 3:16).
The hope of the dead
Yes, God never forgets His faithful servants (Luke 12:4-7). He never
forsakes them (1 Samuel 12:22). He knows those who are His (2 Timothy
2:19). He views them as the apple of His eye (Zechariah 2:8).
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).
Were it not for their faithfulness we are told that no flesh would saved
alive at the end of the great tribulation (Matthew 24:22).
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, 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, 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).
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.
 For an accurate and thorough explanation of God's
plan to resurrect everyone who has gone to his or her grave, simply
request, download or read online our free, enlightening booklet: What
Happens After Death?
Related Resource
Profiles of Faith
The Bible is a record of people who faced challenges and difficulties. Even though they lived long ago, their stories are preserved as timeless examples for us today. Read about these faithful men and women.
The
Resurrection of the Dead: What Does the Bible Really Teach?
Many people have at least a vague notion that the Bible teaches about a resurrection.
But what is the resurrection all about? And how does it fit into God's overall
plan for salvation?
Will
God Forget the Dead?
Real comfort comes from understanding the truth of God—that He
will not forget the dead, but will resurrect all who are in their graves.
Is
There Life After Death?
Where are our loved ones who have died? Will we ever see them again? What is
the real truth? Prepare to be challenged!
Beyond
the Grave
Eventually your physical life will end. What will happen when you die?
Is there life after death? Discover surprising answers!
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