Introduction

On Memorial Day, we take a moment to remember those who sacrificed their lives for our freedom. It is a time to reflect on the importance of remembrance and the cost of our liberties. Today, I want to talk about the battle we are facing as Americans - the battle for the soul of our nation.

The Danger of Forgetting (Daniel 5:1-31)

In the book of Daniel, we see a similar battle taking place in ancient Babylon. The city was known for its strength and power, but it was crumbling from within. Babylon made four major mistakes that led to its downfall: it lost all sense of remembrance, reality, restraint, and respect.

First, Babylon forgot the lessons of the past. They became prideful and arrogant, boasting about their own achievements. They forgot that their power came from God and that pride always leads to destruction.

Second, they lost touch with reality. Despite being surrounded by enemies, they felt invincible within their walls. They threw lavish parties and indulged in pleasure, oblivious to the danger at their doorstep. We too can fall into the trap of complacency, thinking that our strength and success will protect us.

Third, Babylon abandoned all sense of restraint. They embraced immorality and sexual perversion, neglecting their families and disregarding moral values. Our society today is also plagued by a lack of restraint, with sexual permissiveness and perversions becoming increasingly prevalent.

Lastly, Babylon lost all respect for what was sacred. They desecrated sacred vessels and showed no reverence for God. In our own nation, we have witnessed a decline in respect for religious values and a disregard for the sacred.

These mistakes led to Babylon's downfall. In the midst of their partying, a mysterious hand appeared and wrote on the wall. The words "Mene, Mene, Tekel, Upharsin" were a message of judgment. That very night, Babylon fell to the Medes and Persians, and King Belshazzar was slain.

We must learn from Babylon's mistakes and apply them to our own lives and nation. We must remember our history and the values that made us great. We must acknowledge the reality of the challenges we face and not become complacent. We must exercise restraint and uphold moral values. And most importantly, we must respect what is sacred and honor God.

Conclusion

As we remember those who have sacrificed for our freedom on this Memorial Day, let us also remember that our ultimate hope lies in God. He is the one who rules over the affairs of men, and it is through Him that we find true freedom and salvation.

May we humble ourselves before God and seek His guidance and blessing for our nation. May we never forget the cost of our freedom and always strive to uphold the values that make America great.

Get the Full Sermon

• Sermon Notes
• Midweek Discussion Questions