A Time to Reflect

Memorial Day is a special day for me for a number of reasons. First, I grew up in a military family, and I served on active duty in the Army for 22 years myself. I know well the sacrifices that men and women in the Armed Forces make every day to defend this Nation.

Second, my parents and my parents-in-law were members of the Greatest Generation. It is they that I’d like to talk about for a moment.

Both my Father and my Father-in-law fought in North Africa and Italy during World War II. One or the other took part in the battle of Kasserine Pass, the invasion of Sicily, the battle of Monte Cassino, the battle of Anzio, and the liberation of Rome. Neither one ever talked much about the war, though, occasionally, each would share a humorous story about some absurd aspect of military life. They had simply done their duty when their Nation called. Thank God, they both returned whole. And thank God that millions of others answered their Nation’s call in time of need.

After the war, they simply picked up where their lives had left off when the war began. They married their sweethearts, pursued their education, and started families. Today, all four rest in honored glory at Arlington National Cemetery. They rest in peace among the best this Nation had to offer. The best this Nation has offered in every generation. They didn’t consider themselves special—though they were. When they were needed, they were there.

Today, we are again engaged in a war not of our making, a war that was suddenly and viciously thrust upon us, a war as significant and dangerous as any in our history. And, once again, the best this Nation has to offer are raising their right hands, taking the oath of office, and preparing their hands for battle to defend the United States of America against an evil every bit as dangerous as Nazism and built on the same foundation of intolerance and hate.

As we observe Memorial Day this year, we need to thank Almighty God for this Nation, for the freedoms He bequeathed to us through our forebears, for those who fought and died to keep us free, and for those who are taking up the mantle to protect us today.

We also need to take a minute to stop and think about how blessed we have been as a Nation. We need to take a minute and thank Almighty God for the mercy He has shown to us. And, sadly, we need to take a minute to repent of the evil this Nation is doing in His sight and to ask for His forgiveness.

The Bible tells us, “Blessed is the Nation whose God is the Lord.” We have been blessed beyond measure, yet we have taken God and His blessings for granted. We have been blessed beyond measure, yet our Nation has legalized the slaughter of unborn children by the thousands. We have been blessed beyond measure, yet our Nation calls loving and good and acceptable what God calls an abomination. In that light, how long will a righteous God withhold His anger from us?

On this Memorial Day, I urge you to get on your knees to thank God for His grace and mercy and to repent and ask God to forgive us our sins as a Nation. In my view, there is no better time than the Day we remember the sacrifices of our fellow citizens for this Nation to consider anew the sacrifice of the Lamb of God on Calvary’s cross on our behalf. There is also no better time than Memorial Day to confess where we have failed God and to repent of our sins.

All of His ways are righteous, and, though it may sound like a cliché, wise men still seek Him!

The Apostle Paul has exhorted us, “And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what the will of God is, that which is good and acceptable and perfect.” (Romans 12: 2 (NASB)). When we seek God, He promises that we will find Him, and He will direct our paths. O that the people of the United States would seek God anew this Memorial Day! Let it begin with me.