Defending Freedom and Liberty

Psalm 140:1-2 “Rescue me, Lord, from evildoers; protect me from the violent, who devise evil plans in their hearts and stir up war every day.”

Memorial Day is a United States federal holiday which occurs every year on the final Monday of May. Memorial Day is a day of remembering the men and women who died while serving in the United States Armed Forces. Formerly known as Decoration Day, it originated after the American Civil War to commemorate the Union and Confederate soldiers who died in the Civil War. By the 20th century, Memorial Day had been extended to honor all Americans who have died while in the military service.

Jeremiah 50:34 “Yet their Redeemer is strong; the Lord Almighty is his name. He will vigorously defend their cause so that he may bring rest to their land.”

I have been out of state attending a nephew’s “Graduation” ceremony and visiting family for the last five day. Not only is it an honor to have family ties that run deep, but also a privilege to visit them and the beautiful areas of this great nation. Freedom does not come free, but how easily do we forget that the price of security is the defense of liberty.

Deuteronomy 23:14 ^“For the Lord your God moves about in your camp to protect you and to deliver your enemies to you. Your camp must be holy, so that he will not see among you anything indecent and turn away from you.”

With our American Armed Forces, “all give some” in the fight for “Freedom”, but “some give all”. The true heroes of “liberty” sacrificed their tomorrows, so that you and I in this country may have our tomorrows. On Memorial Day, we pause to gives thanks to those individuals that gave the ultimate sacrifice who fought for this “one nation under God” and what we stand for … “In God We Trust”.

Psalm 5:11 ^“But let all who take refuge in you be glad;  let them ever sing for joy. Spread your protection over them, that those who love your name may rejoice in you.”

I’ve heard it said:

“It is the soldier, not the preacher, who has given us freedom of religion.

It is the soldier, not the reporter, who has given us freedom of the press.

It is the soldier, not the poet, who has given us freedom of speech.
It is the soldier, not the lawyer, who has given us the right to a fair trial. 

It is the soldier, not the politician, who has given us the right to vote.

It is the soldier, not the campus organizer, who has given us freedom to assemble.

It is the soldier that serves under the flag and provides liberty where it waves.”

Psalm 25:21 “May integrity and uprightness protect me, because my hope, Lord, is in you.”

This weekend, we salute the men and women of “the Service” that gave their last ounce of courage in the protection of the land that they loved and the freedom of the people, paying the ultimate price that we may live. Reminds me of our Savior. God bless them all! God bless America. “Happy Memorial Day”!

Philippians 1:7 It is right for me to feel this way about all of you, since I have you in my heart and, whether I am in chains or defending and confirming the gospel, all of you share in God’s grace with me.

In Christ, Brian