Joshua said to them: “Cross over before the ark of the Lord your God into the midst of the Jordan, and each one of you take up a stone on his shoulder…and these stones shall be for a memorial to the children of Israel forever.” —Joshua 4:5-7
A memorial forever, Joshua said. That means the day when the Lord provided a miracle for the children of Israel would be remembered for all eternity.
This month, we observe Memorial Day and thank God for the men and women who have served our country, many of whom have given their lives for our freedom and safety.
In our fast-paced world, we need moments to stop and think and remember what’s important: milestones in our lives, times when God answered prayers, people who impacted us, people who gave themselves for us.
If we don’t take the time to remember, we are in danger of falling into despair when life is hard. We lose sight of who God is and how much He loves us. We too easily forget the people He has given us to bless our lives—people we know, as well as strangers who lay down their lives for the good of us all.
Psalm 42 is a classic example of how taking the time to remember can overcome depression, disappointment, and heartache.
First, the psalmist says, “O my God, my soul is downcast within me.”
Read the whole psalm and you’ll see that this was not just a mild case of the blues, but the story of a man drowning in sorrow, weeping in the night, despairing of life.
“O my God, my soul is downcast within me; therefore, I will remember you,” he says. He stops to remember God’s goodness and mercy. He begins to see light in the darkness.
He remembers.
Memorial Day is a day to remember those who served us, those whom God provided to give us freedom. It is a day to help us thank God for our blessings and never forget. It is a day for memorials so that we can tell our children about the sacrifices of others and the goodness of the Lord.
