Memorial Day is when we are encouraged to remember our heritage, paying homage to those who sacrificed greatly to enable us to enjoy what we have. We may get together with family and friends, attend some special event, or just take the time to simply remember and give thanks.

Not all memories are pleasant; matter of fact, some are downright horrible. But if we put everything through God’s grid realizing that, “we know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose” (Romans 8:28), we can rejoice in everything that has happened to us.

“Remember” is a word often used in the Bible, encouraging us to remember the acts of God on our behalf in our personal history, and in former days. Something prominent in most churches is a table sitting near the front of the church with the words “In Remembrance of Me” etched into it.

God loves parties. He instructed His people to set aside special times where they were to gather in Jerusalem to remember God and His glory, to worship God, and to enjoy food and fellowship. Those people would take time off from their work, pack up their families and travel on foot several days to get to the place, observe the occasion, and then return home. You have to wonder who milked the livestock, who tended the crops, etc. Never worry; when we obey God, He takes care of the details.

A great disservice is being done by those who deny history or attempt to rewrite it for their own agenda. A few decades ago somebody said, “Those who cannot remember the past are condemned to repeat it.” So take the time to do whatever you need to do to remember: read your Bible, look at some old albums, visit some monuments, read authentic history, talk to older people and gain from their experience, and, most of all, remember Jesus and all He did and is doing in our world.

Dan Puckett works with road team operations at Life Action Ministries in Buchanan, Michigan.