God's Wonderful Flower of Remembrance
Most people associate Memorial Day with firing up the barbeque, opening the beach house and other rituals of the summer season. Years ago back Memorial Day was a more somber observance of the departed, especially those of service men and women lost in war. For those who have lost a father, mother, son, daughter or a dear friend during a conflict of war, the term Decoration Day touches their hearts in a different way in comparison to the common modern observation of Memorial Day by most in this country. The whole of Scripture teaches us that there is a conflict of war that takes the lives of all of us in its proper season, physical death. (Genesis 3:3; Romans 6:23; 1 Corinthians 15:21-22; James 4:14) The lost of these loved ones has left a scar needing to be healed just as well. It seems like in this day of self-indulgence and pleasure mentality, little is said or done to remember those who have fallen in the conflict of worldly and spiritual war. Thankfully, there are loved ones who see the need to commemorate the lost of someone who was dear to them.
We serve a God who is Sovereign and has in these modern times gave us flowers to commemorate the death of loved ones who have passed away. One of those flowers are Peonies. Peonies are the traditional flower for Memorial Day decoration of soldiers' and loved ones graves. Pretty much everywhere, Peonies is the flower of choice for those who want a memorial remembrance that survives the winter of death - it is a flower which comes back year after year, often becoming more lush as the seasons go on and on. Peonies have been grown since the Middle-Ages in Europe. It came to America colonies and was carried out west by settlers in their wagon trains. It is hardy as an oak tree along with (most Peonies), exceptionally long-lived. On many farmsteads long neglected for centuries past, Peonies are the most persistent survivors while all other flowers have faded away. Deer and other pest do not bother them. (Home and Garden) According to Grade Side Flowers Inc. Peonies are a symbol of healing.
Before you can fully enjoy what the Lord has for us in His enabling mankind to produce Peonies, you must grasp the Sovereignty of God on all things. (Job 36: 23-24; 36:27-33; Job 37:1-13; The whole book of Ruth; Ester 5:1-8; Amos 1:3-2:3; Psalm 115:3-8; Acts 4:24; Acts 14:17; 1 Corinthians 15:28) The Bible says, "Oh, the depths of riches of the wisdom and knowledge of God!" (Romans 11:33) "For from Him and through Him and to Him are all things..." (Romans 11:36) "Through Him" (Greek: ??—d??—e??) means God and Christ are the maintainers, preservers, rulers over all things that happen upon this earth. (Word Studies in the New Testaments; 1 Corinthians 8:6; Colossians 1:16-17) C.H. Spurgeon wrote about God's Sovereignty, "There is no attribute more comforting to His children than that of God’s sovereignty. Under the most adverse circumstances, in the most severe trials, they believe that His Sovereignty has ordained their afflictions, His Sovereignty overrules them, and His Sovereignty will sanctify them all. There is nothing for which the children ought to more earnestly contend to than the doctrine of their Master over all creation—the Kingship of God over all the works of His own hands—the Throne of God and His right to sit upon that throne...for it is God upon the Throne of Whom we trust." - (Galaxie Software. (2002). 10,000 Sermon Illustrations. Biblical Studies Press)
Christians know that it is God's Sovereignty in creating Peonies and understand that is His hand in preserving and blooming them in just the right time for us to enjoy around Memorial Day. Peonies can be a wonderful choice to plant at grave sides. They will still be there when those who planted them have passed on. In most parts of the world, Peonies can be a yearly reminder, after winters death has done its worse, spring conquers, just as Christ conquered death and the grave by rising again on Easter Sunday. (1 Corinthians 15:3-4) Those who have died in Christ, did not feel winters death, they went on to be with the Lord. (1 Corinthians 15:50-58) Peonies are a symbol and reminder that Christian loved ones are not in the grave, but alive in Christ in heaven. Just as the root of Peonies are under ground during winters death, then comes spring, producing new life, there will be a day of resurrection, Christian bodies will come out of the grave to meet the Lord in the air. (1 Thessalonians 4:13-18) Christians will receive a glorified body that will last forever. (1 Corinthians 15:35-37, 42-44; Philippians 3:20-12) The consequences of sin and death will no longer bother them or have any kind of victory over them.
This Memorial Day season, let the beauty of Peonies remind you of our Lords victory over winters death. Let Spring's beauty remind you of the beauty of Christian loved ones being in heaven, no longer being affected by this sin-cursed world. Let God's wonderful flower of remembrance raise up a joy of hope, there is going to be a resurrection of those who are in Christ, receiving an eternal body that will last forever. One that will be incorruptible, perfect and glorified just as Jesus' Body is.
