Memorial Day! Forgetting = Rebellion!

Memorial Day! A time to remember. Remembering is important.

Remembering what? In this case, all those who sacrificed to give us freedom and keep us free. They gave the ultimate sacrifice, their lives.

As US citizens, it’s important that we pause and give thanks. Remembering also involves realizing what it would be like, had they NOT sacrificed for us. Can you imagine what our lives would be like right now, if there weren’t men and women who were willing to pay this incredibly high price for our freedom?

Bondage. And bondage is real. Look at other countries, where there is no freedom. Understand what it would be like to live where you had no voice, no choice. Bondage!

Thank you Jesus that we do live in a country where we are free to choose. Help us choose You! Help us to be wise with our freedom to choose. Freedom was not given so we could be free to be stupid. Living stupid means – Bondage!

Yet, I was reminded recently that we as Christians have a dual citizenship. Citizens of the US and citizens of the Kingdom of God.

God as well calls us to remember. So many times throughout Scripture, He commands we – REMEMBER! Remember the ultimate sacrifice of His life that He gave so we could live in freedom.

Freedom from what? Freedom from Satan and his mental, emotional, physical, AND spiritual bondage.

Why does God challenge us to remember? Because if we don’t remember, He knows what we will do. We slide right back into – Bondage! We will only naturally follow our own inclinations to decide what is right and wrong on our own which apart from God – ALWAYS leads to – BONDAGE!

To protect us from bondage, God commanded us to remember.

The Israelites have quite a few festivals – all about remembering what God has done –

Passover – the time when they were slaves in Egypt and God was in the process of bringing them freedom. The death angel was passing over to strike all the firstborn, except those who had the blood of a lamb on their door posts.
Feast of unleavened bread – a time to remember their quick departure from Egypt. Again a time to remember how God saved them out of slavery.
An offering of first fruits – a celebration where they gave the first of their harvest back to God. A time to remember how He provides sustenance for them.
The feast of weeks (Pentecost) – a time of celebration at the end of the grain harvest. Again a time to remember God’s provision.
The feast of trumpets – it is uncertain what the celebration is here. But we do know it centers around remembering God’s care and His call that they put Him first in their lives.

Then there’s –

Remember the Sabbath to keep it holy – even in the New Testament this very relevant
Taking the communion – remembering Jesus’ sacrifice and His call to us to also sacrifice (I Corinthians 11:23+)

What about birthdays – to remember and honor a person’s birth.

Mother’s/Father’s day – to remember and honor the sacrifice of our parents who brought us into this world.

Thanksgiving – to give thanks to God for all He has done for us

Christmas – Jesus birth

Easter – Jesus death and resurrection

Needless to say, remembering is crucial. But why?

If we choose not to remember, we will naturally live as free agents – apart from God and doing what our sinful nature guides us to do.

In Joshua 4:1-8 – they had just witnessed the Jordan split and God commanded the people to get a stone from each of the 12 tribes and pile them up. This had 2 purposes –

To remember the incredible miracle of God He performed for them and follow this God who loves us so much that He shows us who He is continuously.
To pass this onto their children

NOT remembering always leads to spiritual rebellion. How are you doing at remembering?

Father, help me to Remember! Help me to never forget what You have done for me and to follow You fully. Amen.