Daily Devos
REMEMBERING THOSE WHO DIED FOR US
May 29, 2006
Take some time today to remember the sacrifice given for our freedom.
THINK ABOUT IT

On this Memorial Day, we remember the courageous men and women who have served our country so that we might be free.

Photo, caption below.
A young woman views the numerous tombstones at Arlington National Cemetery following a Memorial Day Ceremony, May 30, 2005. Defense Dept. photo by U.S. Air Force Tech. Sgt. Cherie A. Thurlby

photo courtesy defenselink.mil
TAKE A LOOK
Joshua 4:1-9 - (NLT)

Memorials to the Jordan Crossing
1When all the people were safely across the river, the LORD said to Joshua, 2"Now choose twelve men, one from each tribe. 3Tell the men to take twelve stones from where the priests are standing in the middle of the Jordan and pile them up at the place where you camp tonight." 4So Joshua called together the twelve men 5and told them, "Go into the middle of the Jordan, in front of the Ark of the LORD your God. Each of you must pick up one stone and carry it out on your shoulder--twelve stones in all, one for each of the twelve tribes. 6We will use these stones to build a memorial. In the future, your children will ask, `What do these stones mean to you?' 7Then you can tell them, `They remind us that the Jordan River stopped flowing when the Ark of the LORD's covenant went across.' These stones will stand as a permanent memorial among the people of Israel." 8So the men did as Joshua told them. They took twelve stones from the middle of the Jordan River, one for each tribe, just as the LORD had commanded Joshua. They carried them to the place where they camped for the night and constructed the memorial there. 9Joshua also built another memorial of twelve stones in the middle of the Jordan, at the place where the priests who carried the Ark of the Covenant were standing. The memorial remains there to this day.
IN TODAY'S SCRIPTURE, HOW DID GOD ESTABLISH A MEMORIAL AND WHAT WAS THE PURPOSE?

Joshua records the story of the Lord's leading of the Israelites.  It's a story of conquest and fulfillment for God's people.  After many years of slavery in Egypt and 40 years in the desert, the Israelites were finally allowed to enter the land promised to their fathers.  At last, freedom was a reality!  But, numerous battles had to be fought for that freedom.

Without God's power and blessings, there would not have been freedom for His chosen people.  Without God's power and blessings, our country would not be free today.

HOW CAN YOU USE THIS MEMORIAL DAY TO REMEMBER THE SACRIFICE OF OUR SERVICE MEN AND WOMEN AND THE BLESSINGS OF GOD UPON OUR COUNTRY?

TALK ABOUT IT
Thank God for our freedom.  Pray for the Veterans in our country today, as they remember their sacrifice and service.  Pray for those who are serving our country all over the world.  Pray especially for the safety of those serving in Iraq.  Pray for their families and friends back home.  Pray for wisdom and courage for our President.   Pray for peace.  Pray that people will come to know Christ as their Savior through the conflicts around the world.
TRY IT
  • Every time you see our American flag, pray for those serving our country.
  • Write a letter of encouragement and prayer to someone you know who is serving in the Armed Forces.
  • Go visit a Veteran and tell him/her thank you.  Listen to their story and thank God for freedom.
ABOUT IT
DAILY DEVOS is brought to you by Youth for Christ. Youth for Christ works with young people on campus and in the community in over one hundred countries around the world so that they might have an opportunity to become a follower of Christ and be a part of a local church.

Byron EmmertDaily Devos is published Monday through Friday. Archives can be found at YFC.ORG.  Its purpose is to help you apply truths from God's Word every day.

Our writer, Byron Emmert, has been involved with Youth For Christ for 30 years. He's served as Campus Life Staff, as a writer, and in leadership for the DCLA Conferences. Byron is married to Linda and their family includes two married sons and daughters-in-law, and a daughter in college.  He loves sports, deep dish pizza, and spending time with his family.