Thoughts from daily Bible reading for today- May 28, 2010
“Cornelius stared at him in fear. “What is it Lord?” he asked. The angel answered, “Your prayers and gifts to the poor have come up as a memorial offering before God.” Acts 10:4
Meaningful Memorial Days are meant to remember someone or something we hold in high esteem. We pause to reflect and honor their value to our life and to our country. It is the memories of sacrifice, suffering, industriousness and integrity that should instill a humbling heritage in each of us. Men and woman gave their lives in battle that we might gain our life of freedom. Blood soaked foreign fields protected our liberty at home. So, have a grateful memory.
Memorial Days are the most meaningful when we take time to pause and pray. We thank God in sincere supplication for His favor in our engagement with the enemy– past and present. On our knees we acknowledge Almighty God as the genesis for our great country. He led His people here to establish a nation founded on faith in Christ. If we fail to memorialize our Founding Fathers as figures of faith, then we fail as Christian citizens.
Moreover, your gifts to the poor and to all people for that matter are a memorial offering before God. Every gift is to be given in the name of Jesus. You give for the cause of Christ because of the great gift of salvation He has given to you. Gifts given as a memorial to God gain His glory. You honor the Lord when you give on His behalf.
Lastly, His abundant grace is reason enough for righteous reflection. Is your salvation in Jesus still sweet and savory to your soul? Do you recount often the Lord’s tender mercy toward you and your family? Remember how ecstatic you felt when Sovereign God engaged your soul with faith and forgiveness. Keep fresh your conversion experience.
Your testimony of trust in Jesus Christ—now and then—is a memorial to your Master’s faithfulness. The death of Jesus for our soul’s freedom and the death of men and women for our nation’s soul are the most meaningful reasons we honor Memorial Days. Honor Him and honor them by promoting our liberties, as a gift from Almighty God and our faithful soldiers.
“For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though he was rich, yet for your sakes he became poor, so that you through his poverty might become rich” (2 Corinthians 8:9).
How can I make Memorial Days meaningful? Do I pray and give as a memorial to Jesus?
Related Readings: Exodus 20:8; Leviticus 2:9; Psalm 77:11; John 15:20-27
