America celebrates Memorial Day this weekend. We remember and honor those who have fought and fallen in defense of our nation’s freedom.

In light of these sacrifices and the freedom they secure, and given the news that more Christians were slaughtered today for their faith, today is also an opportunity to consider those who have given their lives for Christ. Let us pray for those who are being persecuted today around the world for the sake of Jesus. Be encouraged by the words from the early church.

And when you hear that we look for a kingdom, you suppose, without making any inquiry, that we speak of a human kingdom. Instead, we speak of that which is with God, as can be shown from the confession of their faith made by those who are charged with being Christians, even though they know that death is the punishment awarded to those who so confess. For if we looked for a human kingdom, we would deny our Christ, so that we might not be killed. We would try to escape detection, so that we might obtain what we hope for. But since our thoughts are not fixed on the present, we are not concerned when men cut us off; since death is a debt which must at all events be paid. – Justin Martyr, First Apology 11

It’s a beautiful thing to God when a Christian does battle with pain. When he faces threats, punishments and tortures by mocking death and treading underfoot the horror of the executioner; when he raises up his freedom in Christ as a standard before kings and princes; when he yields to God alone, and—triumphant and victorious—he tramples upon the very man who has pronounced the sentence upon him …God finds all these things beautiful. – Minucius Felix, the Octavius 37

May the Lord bless you this Memorial Day.

Join us in prayer not only for our country, but also the eternal kingdom in which we are citizens and where daily our fellow followers of Christ are martyred and souls are added to the Lambs Book of Life.

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