It’s Memorial Day. We pause to honor those who gave up their lives on the battlefield. By some accounts this practice of decorating the graves of the fallen soldiers began during the American Civil War. How painful for a nation to be divided and nearly destroyed by unfriendly brotherly fire.

We might draw the parallel that Jesus laid down His life for us and we ought to remember that. And indeed, week after week we remember Jesus’ death AND resurrection!

The soldiers remain in their grave but we do not decorate an empty tomb since death did not have the standing to keep a sinless and righteous man dead. Jesus’ tomb is empty. We honor a risen Savior! The soldiers gave unselfishly but none could give their life for us to live. But Jesus humbly gave His life not only as a substitute for our judgement of death, but much more His life is now ours to live righteously today, tomorrow, and right on through to eternity!

So in this life when sorrow and pain are more than mere acquaintances, we ask Lord God for the grace to turn our eyes upon You and to look into Your wonderful face. Your life is for our living today. And even when the days are sweet and cheerful, we can still enjoy His goodness and company. That day will come when we grasp the reality that we are here for God’s own good pleasure and He has loved us all along and longed that we would love to abide in His presence.

We take hold of the grace given.

https://music.youtube.com/watch?v=Y9Ah7NbYF1I&si=2fUVdRC1zcgRbATf