Remember and Honor the Fallen

“If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land.” 2 Chronicles 7:14 KJB

Like hundreds of other runners around the United States this morning who have the day off, I will be joining friends for a long run. This won’t be just any ordinary run though. We will be putting forth purposeful steps at the Memorial Day, wear blue: run to remember event at our local park— committing our miles to honor our Nation’s fallen military heroes. Everyone there will have committed to run or walk on Memorial Day, and has been provided the name of a fallen service member, who has given his or her life since the first days of the Vietnam War. Together, their website says, we ensure the enduring remembrance of these over 65,000 fallen service members, as we learn their stories, speak their names, and honor their legacies. 

And you know, when it comes to remembrance, it’s plain to see that we are a nation that has, for the most part, not only failed to remember that we are free only because of the sacrifice of thousands of brave men and women who fought and died for our freedoms, but we are a nation that has forgotten God as well. And because of that, we are now a nation experiencing increasing lawlessness, spiraling moral decay, and a growing lack of love and compassion for others. Not all hope is lost though. There is a cure for our condition. And it’s this… we must humble ourselves, and pray, and seek His face, and turn from our wicked ways. It’s only then that we will hear from heaven, and God will forgive our sin, and will heal our land.

So as you go about your day today, thank God for the eternal life He granted you by the death of His Son Jesus Christ on the cross my friend. And then take a moment to pray, pause and remember those who gave their lives so we could be free. Honor their memory as you put forth purposeful steps.

Heavenly Father, thank You for Jesus and His sacrifice. He gave His life so that we could be free from the penalty of sin. And thank You for all the brave soldiers who died to give us the freedoms we now enjoy. Lord, today cause us to consider how far we have strayed from You and to turn back before it’s too late. It’s in your precious name we pray Jesus. Amen.

Happy Running!