“Memorial Day is Everyday”

Memorial Day is a holiday originally set aside to remember the fallen soldiers of the Civil War, but later became a holiday codified in American law to celebrate fallen soldiers of all wars America engages in.  Nevertheless, this article is about a "Memorial Day" commanded by Christians to recognize and celebrate.  The writer of Hebrews in the 12th chapter and first verse writes to the living Christians to recognize the cloud of witnesses who have lived before but are now in the presence of God in heaven.  
Hebrews 12:1-2 - Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, 2 looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God.
The word "THEREFORE" in the first verse references members of what has affectionately become known as the "Hall of Faith" in the 11th chapter.  This list of heroes includes those who failed, sinned, messed up, murdered, perverted - just plain ole sinners like you and me.  The Apostle declares in 1 Corinthians 6:11, "Such were some of you; but you were washed, but you were sanctified, but you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and in the Spirit of our God."  WASHED, SANCTIFIED, & JUSTIFIED!  Wow!  How blessed believers in Christ are to have ALL of our sins washed away, that God continues to cleanse us everyday, and that God, the great Judge, adjudicates us innocent of all charges we and everybody else knows we are guilty of.  Additionally, the last five verses of Hebrews chapter 11 explains in somewhat graphic terms how these heroes of the faith had to suffer for the cause of Christ.  Suffering that included: prison, beatings, being sawed alive in two pieces, living in poverty, homeless, mistreatment by others, literally living inside holes in the ground. Yet the scriptures declare that such people and their undesirable conditions received approval by God for their faith! God approved them not for having enough faith to get wealth or acquire the fine luxuries of this life, but for maintaining faith in God in the most dire of circumstances.  The Lord declares that the world was not worthy of such people of great faith.
So as we celebrate Memorial Day according to the American experience, I want to lift up five important truths based on the text of scripture that informs believers in Christ that Christianity's Memorial Day is everyday.

1. Life for the Christian is hard & difficult, but that we are not alone in our struggles, our heroes of the faith encourages us to face troubles with the joy of the Lord
2. Hardness does not mean God isn't there. (2 Timothy 2:3 commands us to endure hardness as a good soldier. 
3. God orders afflicting circumstances to refine and develop His character in us. (Isaiah 48:10)
4. Today's Church (the earthly living) has a responsibility to the yesterday's church (those living in heaven as our cloud of witnesses), to live holy and righteous.  We owe it to Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, Moses, Able, Sarah, Rahab, and Samson to represent the faith they lived, fought, and died for.
5. A Faith that's focused, focuses on Christ, the author and perfecter of our faith.  Jesus went to the cross with joy and we should therefore face our trials with joy knowing that one day we will see Christ face to face.

So as you and rightfully celebrate America's fallen heroes of war, let us never forget that Christians have a Hall of Faith that we must memorialize daily as we struggle through a life that is sure to end with the promise of everlasting love, joy, and peace where Christ is King and we are His bride clothe with righteousness and reigning with Him in power.  Happy Memorial Day friends!