In 1914, Ernest Shackleton and a team of explorers set out from England to do something no one before had accomplished, cross Antarctica from one side to the other across the South Pole. Disaster struck when the team’s ship became entrapped in ice and the hull was eventually crushed. The ship sank, and the team was marooned on nearby Elephant Island. There seemed little hope for their survival.
In a desperate attempt to get help, Ernest and 5 others set out in a 20-foot lifeboat across some of the most dangerous and storm filled waters in the world. It was an 800-mile journey to South Georgia Island where help could be found. For 15 days, the men battled the treacherous seas and massive storms with waves up to 100-feet using only a compass and a sextant. Frank Worsley, who had captained the Endurance, navigated their course until they safely reached land and found help.
The group found another ship and returned to rescue all of the team. Shackleton became a national hero in England for his courage and persistence.
All of us will go through stormy times in life. The uncertainties of tomorrow are many. The level of misinformation we see on a daily basis is extremely high. In these moments, Psalm 119:11 suggests we store up God’s Word to guide us.
The Psalmist says, “I have hidden your word in my heart that I might not sin against you.” In other words, the Psalmist says, “I have stored up God’s Word so I know the difference between right and wrong and true and false.”
The only way to ensure that we do not go astray is to have an objective source of truth that will guide us just as a compass can guide sailors through dark and uncharted waters. God’s Word can guide us through uncertain and difficult circumstances. We need to trust God’s Word over everything else. Our feelings and emotions can lead us astray, but Scripture can guide us.
The challenge for today is begin storing God’s Word in our hearts. Choose one verse and commit it to memory. Throughout the day, whenever you encounter uncertainty, frustration, or a difficult decision, pause and repeat that verse to yourself. Allow God’s Word to function like Frank Worsley’s compass and sextant, helping you navigate life’s storms with confidence and direction.
Just as Shackleton’s crew depended on reliable instruments to cross dangerous waters safely, we need a trustworthy guide to navigate the challenges of life. Circumstances change, emotions fluctuate, and human opinions often conflict. But God’s Word remains steady. The more we store it in our hearts, the better prepared we will be to recognize truth, resist temptation, and follow the path God has set before us.
What if the very things we spend our lives chasing can never truly satisfy us?
Success. Money. Entertainment. Recognition. Achievement. Relationships. Possessions. We often believe fulfillment is waiting for us in the next accomplishment or experience. Yet the wisest man who ever lived discovered something many people spend their entire lives learning.
The Bible records Solomon was the wisest man to ever live. Upon his request, Solomon was granted wisdom unlike anyone else.
1 Kings 4:29-34 says, “God gave Solomon very great wisdom and understanding, and knowledge as vast as the sands of the seashore. In fact, his wisdom exceeded that of all the wise men of the east and the wise men of Egypt. He was wiser than anyone else…. His fame spread throughout all the surrounding nations. He composed some 3,000 proverbs, and wrote 1,005 psalms. He could speak with authority about all kinds of plants from the great Cedar of Lebanon to the tiny Hyssop that grows from cracks in a wall. He could also speak about animals: birds, small creatures, and fish. And kings from every nation sent their ambassadors to listen to the wisdom of Solomon.”
Solomon also had wealth, influence, and every provision imaginable. With his vast wisdom and resources, Solomon explored nearly every path life could offer. He pursued pleasure, hard work, accomplishments, possessions, and personal fulfillment. Yet after examining it all, he came to a sobering conclusion: everything was meaningless unless the Lord remained first and foremost.
At the end of Ecclesiastes, Solomon gives his final conclusion. Ecclesiastes 12:13 says, “That’s the whole story. Here now is my final conclusion: fear God and obey his commands, for this is everyone’s duty. God will judge us for everything we do, including every secret thin whether good or bad.”
Take a moment to reflect on your priorities. How well do they align with Solomon’s conclusion?
This conclusion is encouraging. It frees us from the exhausting pursuit of trying to find ultimate satisfaction in things that were never meant to fulfill us. We do not have to spend our lives chasing success, wealth, recognition, or pleasure, hoping they will finally bring lasting contentment. Solomon already tested those paths and shared the results. His conclusion points us to a better way.
When we fear God and walk in obedience to Him, we can live with purpose, confidence, and peace, knowing our lives are anchored in something eternal. In a world that constantly tells us to want more, Solomon reminds us that true fulfillment is found not in having more, but in knowing and following the Lord.
Every builder knows the foundation matters. A beautiful house may look impressive from the outside, but if its foundation is weak, cracks will eventually appear. The same is true of our lives. The decisions we make, the values we hold, and the direction we choose all need a foundation strong enough to withstand life’s challenges. Scripture tells us that foundation is found in true wisdom.
As David neared the end of his life, he placed Solomon on the throne as Israel’s next king. David’s final charge to his son was simple yet profound: observe all of the Lord’s commands. According to David, this is where success is found. In following the Lord, Solomon would discover true wisdom and the stability that comes with it.
Psalm 111:10 says, “Fear of the Lord is the foundation of true wisdom. All who obey his commandments will grow in wisdom.” This wisdom is not merely knowledge or intelligence. It is a way of living that is rooted in a relationship with God and expressed through obedience to Him.
Psalm 111 reflects on the many ways God has proven Himself faithful:
Verse 4 reminds us that the Lord is gracious and merciful.
Verse 5 tells us He provides for our needs.
Verse 6 recalls His power at work on behalf of His people.
Verse 9 points us to the ransom He has paid for us. Jesus echoed this truth in Mark 10 when He said, “For the Son of Man did not come to be served but to serve, and give his life as a ransom for many.”
Verse 9 also reminds us that God has guaranteed His covenant with us.
The psalmist then declares, “All he has done is just and good, and all his commandments are trustworthy. They are forever true, to be obeyed faithfully and with integrity” (Psalm 111:7-8).
Justice, goodness, and trustworthiness are found in true wisdom because they are found in God Himself. When we build our lives on His wisdom, we are building on a foundation that will never fail.
So how can we live this out today?
Start by spending a few moments each morning acknowledging God and seeking His guidance. True wisdom begins with a reverent awareness of who He is. Before making decisions, ask yourself whether your choice aligns with what God has already revealed in His Word. Wisdom grows through obedience, not simply through gaining more information.
Take time to reflect on God’s faithfulness in your life. Consider keeping a journal of answered prayers, unexpected provisions, and moments when God carried you through difficult circumstances. Looking back often strengthens our trust moving forward.
Practice integrity in your daily interactions. Be honest in your conversations, fair in your dealings, and willing to do what is right even when it is inconvenient. If God’s works are just and good, those qualities should become evident in our lives as well.
When worries arise, choose trust over control. Bring your concerns to the Lord in prayer and place them in His hands. The God who has faithfully guided His people throughout history is still guiding His people today.
Finally, make it a habit to notice God’s goodness. At the end of the day, reflect on a few ways you saw His provision, mercy, or faithfulness. The more we recognize His hand at work, the more confident we become in His wisdom.
Take a moment today to reflect on how the Lord has proven Himself. Not only throughout history, but also in your own life. How has His justice, goodness, and trustworthiness shown up in your story? As you remember His faithfulness, your trust in Him will grow. And as your trust grows, you’ll find yourself building more and more of your life on the solid foundation of true wisdom.
Have you ever noticed how much of our world is built around the pursuit of power? We chase influence, recognition, and positions that make us feel important. We want our voices heard, our accomplishments noticed, and our opinions respected. Yet Jesus offers a completely different definition of greatness. It is one that has the power to change lives.
I’m a fan of the sitcom Home Improvement. A recurring theme throughout the show was Tim Taylor’s determination to squeeze more power out of every tool or device he touched. His quest for more power often led to hilarious disasters. While exaggerated for comedy, it reflects a desire that exists in all of us.
We want more power. We desire to be part of the ruling authority, members of the political party in control, or the leader who calls the shots. This longing is nothing new. We find examples of it throughout Scripture.
In Mark 10, James and John approached Jesus with a bold request. They wanted positions of honor and authority in His kingdom. Their desire to be the greatest was so strong that they failed to fully understand what they were asking. Jesus responded by asking if they could do what He was about to do. Without hesitation and without understanding the cost, they confidently replied, “We can.”
Their ambition momentarily blocked their view of reality. The desire for greatness caused them to focus on status rather than sacrifice. If we’re honest, we can do the same thing. Left unchecked, our desire to be the greatest can lead us down unhealthy paths. We may become prideful, dismissive of others, or consumed with proving our worth. We might look down on people who think differently, come from different backgrounds, or hold different positions in life—all in an effort to elevate ourselves.
But Jesus turns the entire conversation upside down.
He says, “Whoever wants to be great among you must be your servant, and whoever wants to be first must be slave of all” (Mark 10:43-44).
In God’s kingdom, greatness is not measured by how many people serve you but by how many people you serve. True power is not found in political influence, social status, or physical strength. True power is found in love, humility, and service. Jesus demonstrated this perfectly. “For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, offering himself as a ransom for many” (Mark 10:45).
So how can we live out this kind of greatness today?
Start by looking for one person you can intentionally serve. Offer help before you’re asked. Listen carefully to someone who needs encouragement. Treat every person you encounter with dignity and respect, regardless of their position or background. Choose humility when recognition is available.
Perhaps most importantly, ask God to give you a servant’s heart. Pray that He would reveal areas where pride or selfish ambition may be influencing your actions and help you see people the way He sees them.
Here’s a challenge for today: perform one act of service for someone who cannot repay you. Do it quietly. Don’t post about it. Don’t seek recognition for it. Simply serve as Jesus served.
The world says greatness comes from being noticed. Jesus says greatness comes from serving. One path seeks power for self; the other uses power to bless others. And according to Jesus, the second path is the one that truly changes the world. So, go out and change the world today.
Get Encouraged is the kind of site that meets you in the cave before it hands you the canteen — and this week, Chris Miller brought both.
The posts this week move through some real human territory — rebuilding trust after betrayal, finding peace and strength when life feels unstable, and what it means to stop for someone who needs help.
Let’s start with the hardest one first — what it actually takes to trust again after you’ve been hurt.
Trust Rebuilds on an Unshakable Foundation
The post on rebuilding trust after heartbreak opens with a direct question: how do you trust again when the pain runs deep — whether from a relationship, a friendship, or even the church?
And the answer it lands on isn’t “try harder with people.” It points somewhere else entirely. The post quotes Isaiah 26:4 directly: “Trust in the LORD always, for the LORD GOD is the eternal Rock.”
That verse does real work in the piece. The argument is that human beings — even well-meaning ones — can disappoint, abandon, or break their promises. God’s character, by contrast, is not determined by what others do. He remains faithful regardless.
So trusting God isn’t a workaround for trusting people. It’s a different category of foundation altogether.
Right. And the post is careful to say this isn’t about pretending the hurt never happened. Choosing forgiveness is named as one practical step — not to excuse wrongdoing, but to free your own heart from carrying bitterness forward.
That distinction matters more than it might sound. Now, if trust is the foundation, the next question is what you build on top of it — peace, strength, and hope when life won’t hold still.
Peace, Strength, and Hope When Nothing Holds Still
“Finding Hope in Hopeless Moments” opens with the Psalmist in Psalm 77 asking raw, honest questions — and the post quotes them in full: “Has the Lord rejected me forever? Will he never again be kind to me? Is his unfailing love gone forever? Have his promises permanently failed?”
That’s not polished Sunday-morning language. Those are the questions people carry quietly.
Exactly — and the post names that directly. The turning point comes in verse 11: “But then I recall all you have done, O LORD.” The Psalmist doesn’t find hope by feeling better. He finds it by remembering — God’s deeds, His character, His power. The post even suggests keeping a written record of moments when God provided or guided, to revisit during hard seasons.
Memory as a spiritual practice. That’s less abstract than it sounds.
“When Life is Uncertain, Where Do You Find Peace and Strength?” builds on the same ground. It draws from Psalm 29:11 — “The Lord gives his people strength. The Lord blesses them with peace” — and anchors that promise in who is making it: the God who commands storms and spoke creation into existence.
The comfort is proportional to the source. A promise from someone powerless doesn’t carry much weight.
“An Unstable Life” follows David through seasons of running — from Saul, then from his own son’s rebellion — and shows how his confidence wasn’t rooted in stable circumstances but in the conviction that God still reigns. And “Tell Yourself the Truth” brings in George Washington Carver, who credited God for every discovery and said he’d be helpless without Him — as a frame for how honest self-talk grounded in Scripture can quiet fear without denying it.
All four posts are essentially asking the same question from different angles: where do you put your weight when the ground moves? Which brings us somewhere more outward-facing — not just what steadies you, but what you do for someone else who’s been knocked down.
Remembering Who Stopped — and Whether You Will
“Who Will Stop?” works through the parable of the Good Samaritan, and it opens the question from an unexpected angle — not “who is my neighbor” but whether you’ve ever been the wounded man on the road.
Which reframes the whole thing. You’re not just evaluating your generosity; you’re remembering what it felt like to need someone to stop.
The post puts it plainly: “A neighbor is anyone whose need crosses your path.” It traces the priest and the Levite — both of whom had reasons to keep moving — and names the Samaritan’s response as costly compassion, not convenient compassion. He used his own resources, stayed involved, and promised to return.
The post also reaches into history — Franz Stigler escorting a damaged enemy bomber to safety, Richard Kirkland carrying water to wounded soldiers on the opposite side at Fredericksburg. Mercy interrupting what hatred expects.
And the piece closes with a small story: a little girl who sat beside a man on the sidewalk and held his hand. When her father asked what she did, she said, “I helped him feel less alone.” That’s the scale most of it actually operates at.
“There’s Something Powerful about Remembering” connects this outward attention to Memorial Day — drawing on Joshua 4, where stones carried from the Jordan River became a memorial so future generations could ask what they meant. Remembering sacrifice, the post argues, is itself a biblical instinct: it keeps gratitude alive and reminds us we didn’t arrive where we are on our own.
Romans 13:7 ties it together: “Give to each one what you owe. If honor, give honor. If respect, give respect.” Stopping for someone, honoring someone — both are forms of the same refusal to look away.
Trust, peace, memory, mercy — it’s a pretty complete map of what it takes to stay human when things get hard.
And all of it starts with honesty — about the hurt, the fear, and the people on the road in front of you. More of that next time.
Have you ever found yourself asking, “How can I trust again after being hurt so deeply?”
Maybe a romantic relationship ended because of unfaithfulness. Perhaps a close friendship fell apart over betrayal, gossip, or broken promises. Maybe you experienced hurt within the church from people you expected to encourage and support you. When trust is broken, the pain can run deep. It can leave us questioning others, ourselves, and sometimes even God.
Yet in the middle of those painful experiences, Scripture gives us a powerful reminder: “Trust the Lord.”
It may be one of the hardest things we are called to do, but it can also be one of the most rewarding. Our life experiences may make trusting difficult. The heartbreak caused by people can teach us to build walls around our hearts and keep everyone at a distance. While those reactions are understandable, the Bible points us to a different source of security—one that will never fail.
Isaiah 26:4 says, “Trust in the LORD always, for the LORD GOD is the eternal Rock.”
Unlike people, the Lord is our eternal Rock. He is unshakable, unmovable, and unchangeable. Human beings can disappoint us, abandon us, or break our trust. Even well-meaning people sometimes fail. But God never changes. He will not lead us astray, walk out on us, or turn His back on His promises.
When a spouse is unfaithful, a friendship ends, or fellow believers wound us, it can be tempting to conclude that no one can be trusted. While people may fail, God remains faithful. His character is not determined by the actions of others. He is still good, still loving, and still worthy of our trust.
When we choose to trust the Lord:
• We experience peace because He provides a peace in Christ Jesus that surpasses human understanding, even when our circumstances remain difficult.
• Our paths become straighter because He guides our steps and directs our decisions when we are uncertain about the future.
• We discover a fullness of life that can only be found through a relationship with Jesus Christ.
• We have the assurance of eternity because Jesus promised, “I am going to prepare a place for you, and if I prepare a place for you, I will come back to take you with me so you also may be where I am.”
Trusting God does not mean pretending the hurt never happened. It does not mean ignoring the pain of betrayal or acting as though broken relationships do not matter. Instead, it means placing our confidence in the One who remains faithful when everything else feels uncertain.
How can we apply this truth today?
• Bring your hurts honestly before God in prayer. Tell Him exactly how you feel and ask Him to help you trust Him again.
• Spend time reading and reflecting on God’s promises in Scripture rather than allowing past disappointments to shape your view of Him.
• Remember specific times when God has been faithful in your life. Reflecting on His past faithfulness can strengthen your trust for today.
• Choose forgiveness where possible. Forgiveness does not excuse wrongdoing, but it frees your heart from carrying the weight of bitterness.
• Take one step of faith today, even if it is small. Trust is often built one decision at a time as we follow God’s leading.
Life’s wounds may make trusting difficult, but God has never broken a promise and never abandoned His children. He remains the eternal Rock when everything else feels unstable. It may be hard, but it is certainly rewarding to trust in the Lord. When people fail us, God remains faithful—and that is a foundation we can build our lives upon.
The world changes quickly. Plans shift, unexpected challenges arise, and the future can feel unclear. In moments like these, we all need two things: peace for our hearts and strength for the journey ahead. The good news is that God promises both.
Psalm 29:11 declares, “The Lord gives his people strength. The Lord blesses them with peace.”
This promise becomes even more meaningful when we consider who is making it. Psalm 29 describes the Lord as powerful and majestic. He spoke creation into existence; everything came from nothing simply by His voice. He commands the storms, and all of nature responds to His authority. His power is unmatched, His majesty beyond comparison, and yet this same God lovingly gives His people peace and strength.
Because of who God is, we can face today’s challenges with confidence. When uncertainty tries to steal our peace, we can remember that our circumstances are not greater than our Creator. When we feel weak, we can rely on His strength rather than our own.
One practical way to experience God’s peace and strength is to begin your day by focusing on His character rather than your concerns. Before diving into the news, social media, or your to-do list, spend a few moments reflecting on God’s greatness. Read Psalm 29 and consider how the Lord’s power compares to the challenges you are facing. What problem seems overwhelming today? How does it look in light of God’s unlimited power?
Another helpful practice is to turn your worries into prayers. When anxiety appears, bring it to God immediately. Tell Him exactly what is on your heart and ask Him for the peace and strength He promises to provide. Rather than carrying your burdens alone, place them in the hands of the One who rules over all creation.
It is also important to focus on today’s strength instead of tomorrow’s worries. Many of us exhaust ourselves trying to solve problems that have not yet arrived. God provides strength for today’s responsibilities. Ask yourself, “What is the next faithful step God wants me to take?” Then trust Him with the rest.
Throughout the day, look for reminders of God’s power in creation. The sky above, the trees swaying in the wind, and the beauty of the natural world all testify to His greatness. The God who sustains the universe is also sustaining you.
Finally, remember God’s faithfulness. Think back to times when He carried you through difficult seasons, provided what you needed, or gave you peace in the middle of a storm. The same God who was faithful then remains faithful today.
A Challenge for Today
Take five minutes to slowly read Psalm 29. Write down several descriptions of God’s power and majesty. Then write down one situation where you need His peace and one area where you need His strength. Bring both to God in prayer and trust Him to provide exactly what you need for today.
The Lord who commands creation is the Lord who cares for you. Out of His power, He grants peace. Out of His majesty, He gives strength. Whatever you face today, remember this promise: “The Lord gives his people strength. The Lord blesses them with peace.”
Please share this post with someone who could use a reminder of God’s peace and strength today.
Have you ever looked around at your life and thought, “Everything feels unstable”? The plans you counted on suddenly change. The future feels uncertain. The foundation beneath your feet seems to tremble, and you wonder how anyone can remain confident when life feels like it is falling apart.
David understood that feeling well.
David spent much of his life running and hiding. As a young man, he fled from Saul, who was jealous of David’s popularity and wanted to kill him. Later in life, David found himself running once again—this time from a rebellion led by his own son. His story is filled with turmoil, heartbreak, uncertainty, and loss.
On one occasion, David cried out in Psalm 11:3, “The foundations of law and order have collapsed. What can the righteous do?”
Perhaps you can relate to those words today.
Maybe the career you worked hard to build has suddenly disappeared. The health you once enjoyed is fading. The journey you imagined for your life no longer looks the same. Everything feels shaken, like an earthquake has passed through your world and left uncertainty in its wake.
Yet despite all David faced, his life was marked by remarkable confidence in the Lord.
Even when it seemed everything around him was collapsing, David lifted his eyes higher than his circumstances. He continued in Psalm 11, “But the Lord is in his holy temple. The Lord still rules from Heaven. He watches everyone closely, examining every person on earth.”
David’s confidence was not rooted in a stable life. It was rooted in a faithful God.
In Psalm 12, David writes, “The Lord replies, ‘I have seen violence done to the helpless and I have heard the groans of the poor. Now I will rise up to rescue them as they have longed for me to do.’ The Lord’s promises are pure, like silver refined in a furnace, purified seven times over.”
Those promises are just as true for us today as they were for David.
So how can we practice this kind of confidence when life feels shaken?
Start by focusing on what is unshaken. Before fear and anxiety take over, remind yourself that God is still on the throne. Circumstances may change overnight, but His character never changes.
When worry begins to rise, replace panic with prayer. David never hid his emotions from God. He brought his fears, frustrations, and heartbreak honestly before Him. Confidence grows when we learn to bring our burdens to God instead of carrying them alone.
Hold tightly to God’s promises. Choose one verse today and return to it often. Write it down, place it where you can see it, and let it steady your heart when uncertainty tries to overwhelm you.
Instead of trying to solve your entire future at once, focus on the next faithful step. God often strengthens us one day at a time, one moment at a time.
And do not forget to remember God’s faithfulness in your past. The same God who carried you through previous battles has not abandoned you now.
Life may feel shaken today, but God has not moved.
Like David, we can remain confident—not because life is easy, but because the Lord still reigns.
Have you ever smiled in public while privately wondering if God had forgotten you?
Maybe you prayed and heard nothing. Maybe you waited and saw no change. Maybe disappointment, exhaustion, or heartbreak left you asking questions you never thought you would ask.
The writer of Psalm 77 understood that feeling deeply.
“Has the Lord rejected me forever? Will he never again be kind to me? Is his unfailing love gone forever? Have his promises permanently failed? Has God forgotten to be gracious? Has he slammed the door on his compassion?””
These words read like pages torn from a personal journal. The Psalmist honestly pours out his fears and doubts before God. They are the kinds of thoughts many people quietly carry but rarely say aloud. In difficult seasons, it can feel as though God is distant, silent, or no longer working on our behalf.
Yet Scripture continually reminds us that the Lord is always faithful and always keeps His promises. Hebrews reminds us He will never leave us nor forsake us, and Isaiah declares that He works for those who wait for Him. The Psalmist may have begun with painful questions, but he did not stay there.
Everything began to change when he shifted his focus.
He writes in verse 11, “But then I recall all you have done, O LORD.”
The Psalmist found hope by remembering the Lord, and we can do the same.
He remembered God’s deeds.
In verses 11–12, he says, “I remember your wonderful deeds of long ago. They are constantly in my thoughts. I cannot stop thinking about your mighty works.”
The Lord brought Israel out of Egypt, parted the Red Sea, provided for His people in the wilderness, and gave them victory in impossible situations. Most importantly, Jesus walked out of the tomb, proving that even death does not have the final word. God has always been faithful to His people, and remembering His works can restore our hope as well.
One practical way to apply this is by keeping a “God Was Faithful” journal. Write down moments where God provided, comforted, guided, or strengthened you. During difficult seasons, revisit those reminders. Sometimes hope grows when we remember what God has already done.
The Psalmist remembered God’s character.
The Lord is holy, merciful, gracious, loving, compassionate, faithful, and unchanging. Even when our emotions fluctuate, His character does not.
When discouragement comes, fight fearful thoughts with specific truth from Scripture. Replace “God has abandoned me” with “He will never leave me.” Replace “Nothing will ever change” with “The Lord works for those who wait for Him.” Filling your mind with truth helps steady your heart in uncertain moments.
The Psalmist also remembered God’s power.
Verse 14 says, “You are the God of great wonders! You demonstrate your awesome power among the nations.”
God’s power has been displayed throughout history. He parted seas, toppled walls, calmed storms, and raised Christ from the grave. The same God who demonstrated His power then is still at work today.
Sometimes the most practical act of faith is simply continuing to pray, worship, and trust before your feelings change. Hope is often restored gradually as we continue remembering who God is.
If you are struggling today, do not isolate yourself in silence. Be honest with God about your fears. Spend time in His Word. Surround yourself with people who will encourage your faith. Look for daily reminders of His goodness, even in small things.
The Psalmist teaches us something powerful: hope is not found in pretending life is easy. Hope is found in remembering that God is still faithful, even in the middle of hard seasons.
The next time you feel rejected, forgotten, or overwhelmed, pause and remember His deeds, His character, and His power. What feels like silence today is not proof that God has stopped working.
A song, photograph, or even a simple stone can bring back moments that shaped our lives and remind us of sacrifices we should never forget. In a world that moves quickly and constantly pushes us toward the next thing, Memorial Day invites us to pause, reflect, and honor those who gave so much for the freedoms we enjoy today.
In Joshua 4, the Israelites experienced a miraculous moment when God led them safely across the Jordan River. After crossing, Joshua instructed one man from each tribe to carry a stone from the middle of the river and place it on the bank. These stones became a memorial. It served as a visible reminder of God’s faithfulness and provision. Future generations would see those stones and ask about their meaning, giving the people an opportunity to share how God had worked on their behalf.
Throughout Scripture, we are encouraged to remember. Remembering keeps gratitude alive. It reminds us we did not arrive where we are today on our own. Others sacrificed, served, prayed, and endured hardships so future generations could experience blessings and opportunities.
While Memorial Day is not a religious holiday, the heart behind it reflects a deeply biblical principle. Shortly after the Civil War, a day was set aside to remember the men and women who gave their lives in service to their country. Over time, Memorial Day became a national moment of reflection and gratitude for those who made the ultimate sacrifice for their communities, families, and nation.
Romans 13:7 reminds us, “Give to each one what you owe. If honor, give honor. If respect, give respect.” Those words challenge us to intentionally show gratitude and respect where it is deserved. Memorial Day is more than cookouts, long weekends, or the unofficial start of summer. It is a reminder that many of the freedoms and opportunities we enjoy today came at a tremendous cost.
As we gather with family and friends today, may we take a few moments to pause and remember those who went before us. May we reflect on the courage of men and women who willingly sacrificed for others they would never meet. Regardless of our opinions about current events or politics, today is an opportunity to unite in gratitude and honor those who served with courage and sacrifice.
Remembering the past helps us appreciate the blessings of the present. Gratitude changes our perspective. It reminds us not to take today for granted and encourages us to live with greater appreciation, humility, and respect.
May we never forget the sacrifices that made today possible.
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