The Purpose In Remembering

The Purpose In Remembering                        November 10, 2024

According to Ecclesiastes 3:1-10 Solomon tells us that there is an appointed time for everything and for every event under heaven such as a time to give birth and a time to die (Vs 2).  Such it is with time and there’s nothing we can do to change it.

I hate to admit it but the older I get the more forgetful I’ve become.  One minute something’s on my mind and then it escapes me five minutes later.  And for the life of me I cannot remember what it was.  I guess that’s why Solomon states that it’s so important to remember God in the days our youth when our mind can easily remember everything about Him before that “forgetful stage” of our life comes.  Yes, it’s coming and for some, it has already arrived.

Tomorrow is Remembrance Day – November 11th.  Every year on that day at 11am there is a brief period of silence and reflection on those who lost their lives in war so that we could enjoy our lives in freedom as individuals, families and Canadian citizens.  What a cost!  What a sacrifice! 

Today there are a number of events remembered and celebrated annually that have nothing to do with one losing their lives for the citizens of this country.  Such events are remembered and focused on much longer than one hour per year.  What’s deplorable is that when soldiers in the war sacrificed their rights for the rights of others that they are remembered less than those who pushed their rights over the rights of others. 

Have you ever wondered how those who lost their lives in war would feel about how they are remembered today?  If they knew then what we know now would they still have been willing to sacrifice their lives for us?

When Jesus’ crucifixion was close at hand He wanted to make sure that His death would be forever remembered (I Corinthians 11:23-34).  What a disappointment it would be to know that your death for others would soon be forgotten. 

The purpose in remembering is to instill within our hearts a deep and earnest appreciation for all those who sacrificed their rights so that we could enjoy ours.  We should never take our freedom for granted.  It came at a great cost and our lives should always reflect physically and spiritually our appreciation for those who laid down their life for ours.

“Greater love has no one than this, that one lay down his life for his friends” (John 15:13)

Brian Thompson