And what more shall I say? I do not have time to tell about Gideon, Barak, Samson and Jephthah, about David and Samuel and the prophets, who through faith conquered kingdoms, administered justice, and gained what was promised; who shut the mouths of lions, quenched the fury of the flames, and escaped the edge of the sword; whose weakness was turned to strength; and who became powerful in battle and routed foreign armies. Women received back their dead, raised to life again. There were others who were tortured, refusing to be released so that they might gain an even better resurrection. Some faced jeers and flogging, and even chains and imprisonment. They were put to death by stoning; they were sawed in two; they were killed 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, living in caves and in holes in the ground. These were all commended for their faith, yet none of them received what had been promised, since God had planned something better for us so that only together with us would they be made perfect. Hebrews 11:32-40 NIV
We have a rich heritage of faith, men and women who have gone before us and demonstrated righteousness and faithful living at the cost of great personal sacrifice! The pages of God’s word are filled with the stories of courageous believers whose very lives inspire us to stand strong and remain faithful to the God we serve.
And, of course, there was no greater sacrifice than that of our Lord, who laid down his life, that we might live!
Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one’s life for one’s friends. John 15:13 NIV
But he was pierced for our transgressions, he was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was on him, and by his wounds we are healed. Isaiah 53:5 NIV
How then should we live?
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 the race marked out for us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. Hebrews 12:1-2a NIV
As you take some time, on this Memorial Day, to reflect on the sacrifices of the many Americans who died to obtain and preserve our freedoms, don’t forget to also consider the spiritual sacrifices made by those who have gone before us in the faith. Starting with the sacrifice made by God himself, express your gratitude for all who have suffered that we might live in freedom and walk in salvation. Let your gratitude lead you to live differently, to throw off every sin that so easily entangles and to run with perseverance the race marked out for us!