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Memorial Day
Contributed by John Gerald on May 27, 2005 (message contributor)
Summary: Things we should remember!
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MEMORIAL DAY 2005
I. BRING TO REMEMBRANCE
De 32:7 Remember the days of old, consider the years of many generations: ask thy father, and he will shew thee; thy elders, and they will tell thee.
The youth have not seen all that their elders have seen. The stories must be told them over and over again. God did not want Israel to forget the miracles he performed in delivering them from Egypt, the crossing of the Red Sea and Jordan and from their enemies at many other times. He did not want them to forget Him!
A. REMEMBER YOUR DELIVERANCE FROM EGYPT (SIN)
Ex 13:3 And Moses said unto the people, Remember this day, in which ye came out from Egypt, out of the house of bondage; for by strength of hand the LORD brought you out from this place: there shall no leavened bread be eaten.
The celebration of the Passover was to remind them annually of their deliverance from Egypt.De 7:18 Thou shalt not be afraid of them: but shalt well remember what the LORD thy God did unto Pharaoh, and unto all Egypt;
De 15:15 And thou shalt remember that thou wast a bondman in the land of Egypt, and the LORD thy God redeemed thee: therefore I command thee this thing to day.
They were not to fear the enemies that God had defeated for them, but they were to remember His deliverance, instead. The Passover was a constant reminder from generation to generation.
B. REMEMBER HIS GUIDANCE AND PROTECTION
De 8:2 And thou shalt remember all the way which the LORD thy God led thee these forty years in the wilderness, to humble thee, and to prove thee, to know what was in thine heart, whether thou wouldest keep his commandments, or no.
The wilderness journey was to prove whether or not they would serve the LORD. Though it was a time of testing, yet God provided for their every need. They must remember how He cared for them even in the wilderness.
C. REMEMBER HIS PROVISION
De 8:18 But thou shalt remember the LORD thy God: for it is he that giveth thee power to get wealth, that he may establish his covenant which he sware unto thy fathers, as it is this day.
If the world resents the Jew for his ability to make money, they must remember that God gave him this special ability. They have been persecuted beyond what any other nation has ever been, and without special skills and abilities, they would become extinct. If we follow God’s rules, we too, may gain wealth. You do not accumulate wealth by wasteful spending, but by frugal saving!
If we tithe, God has promised to open the windows of heaven and pour out blessings upon us.
Jos 1:13 Remember the word which Moses the servant of the LORD commanded you, saying, The LORD your God hath given you rest, and hath given you this land.
Peace is one of the most blest gifts anyone can receive. If we keep His word, God has promised to make our neighbors to be at peace with us.
Le 26:6 And I will give peace in the land, and ye shall lie down, and none shall make you afraid: and I will rid evil beasts out of the land, neither shall the sword go through your land.
Nu 6:26 The LORD lift up his countenance upon thee, and give thee peace.
II. FOR A MEMORIAL BEFORE GOD
Ex 12:14 And this day shall be unto you for a memorial; and ye shall keep it a feast to the LORD throughout your generations; ye shall keep it a feast by an ordinance for ever.
Ex. 12:17 And ye shall observe the feast of unleavened bread; for in this selfsame day have I brought your armies out of the land of Egypt: therefore shall ye observe this day in your generations by an ordinance for ever.
The feast of unleavened bread, the Passover feast, was to be observed from generation to generation, forever. It celebrated God’s deliverance from Egyptian bondage. In reality, Israel became a nation that day.
Jos 4:7 Then ye shall answer them, That the waters of Jordan were cut off before the ark of the covenant of the LORD; when it passed over Jordan, the waters of Jordan were cut off: and these stones shall be for a memorial unto the children of Israel for ever.
As they journeyed on toward the promised land, God ordered them to set up other markers where His hand effected their deliverance and prospered them on their way. Crossing of the Jordan was a significant miracle in their journey. God wanted them to memorialize it for the generations to come.
Mr 14:9 Verily I say unto you, Wheresoever this gospel shall be preached throughout the whole world, this also that she hath done shall be spoken of for a memorial of her.