These days should be remembered and observed in every generation by every family, and in every province and in every city. And these days of Purim should never fail to be celebrated by the Jews—nor should the memory of these days die out among their descendants. Esther 9:28
We aren’t the first civilization that celebrates and remembers big events in our history. In the book of Esther you find the above words written to remind the people of Israel of an event that saved their existence. The story is told of everyday people who stood up for what was right in order for their nation to be saved. For such a time as this Esther and Mordecai were those people.
That’s what we do on Memorial Day. We remember those who stood for what was right and had a part in keeping our nation the Land of the Free. It is really interesting to read the book of Esther and find no mention of God in it.
Does that mean that God didn’t have a hand in winning their freedom? Absolutely not! Instead, He quietly worked through people in order to bring about salvation. I n looking back at our history and hearing the stories of victories won when there seemed to be no way, it is clear to me that God again quietly worked for our freedom.
And so, we remember. We remember those who died for our way of life, and hopefully, we remember God and thank Him because without Him working quietly and sometimes unnoticed, He brings salvation and freedom. That is so true in the Gospel
That is so true in the Gospel of Jesus Christ. One man, sent from heaven, a carpenter brought salvation for the entire world. Often times unnoticed. Often times not recognized it was Jesus whose death burial and resurrection gives us freedom from death for eternity! Isn’t it time we tell the story from generation to generation and when we celebrate and remember, Jesus is the first name on our list?
This Memorial Day as we name those who paid the ultimate cost for our freedom. As we celebrate our freedom through the many who fought for our lives. Let us not lose sight of that one name who gives freedom to all of humanity and let us thank God that through Jesus we can never lose our freedom!
(Editor’s Note: This column is written by a different Littlefield pastor for the Leader-News each week. The columns are published on this page on Wednesdays.)