A Pause to Ponder God's Word
"Remember Them"
Others were tortured and refused to be released, so that they might gain a better resurrection. Some faced jeers and flogging, while others were chained and put into prison. They were stoned; they were sawed in two; they were put to death by the sword. They went about in sheepskins and goatskins, destitute, persecuted, and mistreated - the world was not worthy of them. They wandered in deserts and mountains, and in caves, and holes in the ground. These were commended for their faith, yet none of them received what had been promised. God had planned something better for us so that only together with us would they be made perfect. (Hebrews 11:36-40)

My daughter had invited me to come to this special school assembly. She had been asked to sing a solo in the assembly and wanted dad to hear her. Dad wanted to very much, so I was sure to be there. I listened as the history teacher, who was in charge of the assembly, admonished the entire student body not to applaud through out this entire assembly. He stressed with repeated sentences that this was not a "happy time", not a time for "picnics, parties, and parades, but a solemn day of remembering those who died so that we could leave free and democracy would live." Several times throughout the presentation I glanced around the auditorium at the faces of these middle school students. I wondered if they really understood. The remained quiet through out presentation and, as instructed, left the auditorium in silence.

The presentation included students in military costume do dramatic readings about each of the wars that the United States had been involved. They were stories, told in the first person, about soldiers who had not return from the war they had fought in. Each story ended with the words, "please don't forget me." It is good for us to remember them, with deep, heartfelt thanks for their supreme sacrifice for freedom

There is a "great cloud" of people who need to remembered, even more than those we recognize on Memorial Day. Through eyes of faith these people saw an eternal city whose foundations could not be shaken. They lived faithful even though "none of them received what had been promised." The lived faithful because "God had planned something better for us." There is no wall with their names inscribed upon it. There are no buildings, streets, towns, or states named after them. There is no tomb stone erected representing their sacrifice. Some are known because they names are included in biblical record, but the majority remain nameless to us. Yet, their lives were gloriously used by God in building His Kingdom. They gave their lives for the generations to come. They leave us a legacy and a pattern.

They do not asked to be remembered. Rather, they call us to faithfulness. Their lives summon us to live wholly for God. Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance that race marked out for us.

Keep Close To Jesus

Pastor Gerry


A Pause To Ponder God's Word is written and distributed by Gerald Whetstone, Ordained Elder and teacher in the Church of the Nazarene. These devotionals may be transmitted, duplicated, used in part or in entirety without permission for nonprofit purposes only. Responses welcome. To Subscribe Click Here.
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