God will wipe away every tear from their eyes. – Revelation 7:17
Memorial Day started on May 30, 1868, when southern women scattered spring flowers on the graves of both the Northern and Southern soldiers who died during the Civil War. Then in 1968, it was moved to the last Monday in May so that all who gave their lives to preserve America’s freedom, including during the Spanish-American War, World Wars I and II, Korea, Vietnam, Desert Storm, War against Islamic Terror, and up through the present, are now honored on Memorial Day.
Every U.S. president beginning in 1921 has placed a wreath on the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, which is guarded 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. Inscribed on the tomb is the phrase: “Here Rests In Honored Glory An American Soldier Known But To God.”
In his 1923 Memorial Day Address, President Calvin Coolidge stated: “There can be no peace with the forces of evil. Peace comes only through the establishment of the supremacy of the forces of good. That way lies through sacrifice. ’Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends.’”
Those men and women sacrificed their lives so that America may remain a free country. But there’s a reward for them beyond this life, however, and it’s a faith that those left behind can keep this Memorial Day. And as Psalm 27 states, there’s a great reward at the end of all things for the brave men and women who have fallen believing in the Lord. Thank Him for their sacrifice which allows you to worship freely. And pray for those families left behind.
Today’s Verse: Revelation 7:17
For the Lamb in the midst of the throne will be their shepherd,
and he will guide them to springs of living water,
and God will wipe away every tear from their eyes.
All Scripture quotations and audio are from the ESV® Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®), copyright © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
Recommended for further reading: Psalm 27
The Lord is my light and my salvation;
whom shall I fear?
The Lord is the stronghold of my life;
of whom shall I be afraid?
2 When evildoers assail me
to eat up my flesh,
my adversaries and foes,
it is they who stumble and fall.
3 Though an army encamp against me,
my heart shall not fear;
though war arise against me,
yet I will be confident.
4 One thing have I asked of the Lord,
that will I seek after:
that I may dwell in the house of the Lord
all the days of my life,
to gaze upon the beauty of the Lord
and to inquire in his temple.
5 For he will hide me in his shelter
in the day of trouble;
he will conceal me under the cover of his tent;
he will lift me high upon a rock.
6 And now my head shall be lifted up
above my enemies all around me,
and I will offer in his tent
sacrifices with shouts of joy;
I will sing and make melody to the Lord.
7 Hear, O Lord, when I cry aloud;
be gracious to me and answer me!
8 You have said, “Seek my face.”
My heart says to you,
“Your face, Lord, do I seek.”
9 Hide not your face from me.
Turn not your servant away in anger,
O you who have been my help.
Cast me not off; forsake me not,
O God of my salvation!
10 For my father and my mother have forsaken me,
but the Lord will take me in.
11 Teach me your way, O Lord,
and lead me on a level path
because of my enemies.
12 Give me not up to the will of my adversaries;
for false witnesses have risen against me,
and they breathe out violence.
13 I believe that I shall look upon the goodness of the Lord
in the land of the living!
14 Wait for the Lord;
be strong, and let your heart take courage;
wait for the Lord!
All Scripture quotations and audio are from the ESV® Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®), copyright © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
