Daily Devotional #1,523

Today is Memorial Day, a day for us to stop and remember those in our armed services who have given the ultimate sacrifice for our country. In 1863 President Abraham Lincoln gave a speech that reminds us of the sacrifice that has been given for you and me. These are his words…” Four score and seven years ago our fathers brought forth on this continent, a new nation, conceived in Liberty, and dedicated to the proposition that all men are created equal. Now we are engaged in a great civil war, testing whether that nation, or any nation so conceived and so dedicated, can long endure. We are met on a great battlefield of that war. We have come to dedicate a portion of that field as a final resting place for those who here gave their lives that that nation might live. It is altogether fitting and proper that we should do this. But, in a larger sense, we cannot dedicate—we cannot consecrate—we cannot hallow—this ground. The brave men, living and dead, who struggled here, have consecrated it, far above our poor power to add or detract. The world will little note, nor long remember what we say here, but it can never forget what they did here. It is for us the living, rather, to be dedicated here to the unfinished work which they who fought here have thus far so nobly advanced. It is rather for us to be here dedicated to the great task remaining before us—that from these honored dead we take increased devotion to that cause for which they gave the last full measure of devotion—that we here highly resolve that these dead shall not have died in vain—that this nation, under God, shall have a new birth of freedom—and that government of the people, by the people, for the people, shall not perish from the earth.” Today we stop and give thanks for the sacrifice of our fellow men and women in uniform who have given their lives for us. Pause for a moment today to whisper a prayer for those who personally bear the pain of that loss. And in that prayer do give thanks to the one who died for every person, in every country, for every time…that we might be forgiven forever of our sins and made heaven home for all who believe in him.

Here’s our Bible verse for today…

John 15:13 NLT There is no greater love than to lay down one’s life for one’s friends.

Remember I’m praying for you,
PJ