As we celebrate Memorial Day, I first want to say thank you to all the soldiers who have served or are still serving our great country. Memorial Day is a time to reflect on all the soldiers who have given that ultimate sacrifice so that you and I can live in a land of freedom. Remember freedom is not free! It cost millions of men and women their lives so you and I can reap the benefits of this liberty that we enjoy every day.

I recently had an opportunity to travel to Gettysburg, Pennsylvania. As I stood on the green meadows, I thought about all those fathers and sons that shed their blood on that same ground for what they believed. I followed the same trail that so many young men walked, never to return home. It truly was a sobering reminder that someone else had to pay for the freedom that I enjoy.

As I enjoy a physical freedom as an American, I enjoy more so the spiritual freedom I have as a Christian. As I study and read God’s word, I’m taken back to how many men of God blazed a trail of faith and tears so I can open up the blessed Word of God and preach the Word. I’m reminded that the freedom and liberty I have in Christ hasn’t always been available. There have been millions that died standing on their faith in Jesus Christ so that I can stand today. I’m reminded that stripes, scars, and stones were part of a believer’s life in Biblical days. And here we are moaning about having to go out on visitation. Shame on us! I’ve never had anyone throw a rock at me for telling them about Jesus.

Most of all I’m always mindful of the price Jesus paid. Jesus didn’t owe this debt but he paid it regardless. You and I were guilty before God as sinners. We surely couldn’t pay the price to satisfy the judgment of God. We simply had nothing to offer. Yet Jesus loved us and paid the price of God’s judgment for you and I. He gave his life so that we could be free from sin and the damnation that we are certain of if we don’t accept this gift of salvation. The Bible says in 2 Corinthians 5:21, “For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him.” The Bible also says in Isaiah 53:5b, “and with his stripes we are healed.” Jesus did for us what no other person who has ever been born could do. He has provided salvation for whosoever will put their faith and trust in him.

To all the soldiers of the faith in my past, I salute you! To all the soldiers that are holding up the Book, the bloodstained banner, and blessed hope, stay in the battle. To Jesus my Lord and Savior, thank you for dying on that cross for me! Friend, I believe that the battle is almost over and all the bruises and battle scars will be healed in that Heavenly home that awaits us. So remember, what has been paid for in our past, let us not take for granted today. Let us keep the memories of yester year alive while we live in victory today!

Tune in to WBCU 103.5 FM Sundays at noon for the Shining Light Broadcast. I preach a 15-minute message that I pray will be a blessing to those who listen. If you have a prayer concern, comment, or question, please write to: Voice of Victory, Attn: David Burrell, PO Box 1221, Pacolet, SC 29372, message me on Facebook, or e-mail me at daveburrell@live.com.