The Lutheran Hour
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"God Says Remember"
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Text: Deuteronomy 6:5-7
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Christ is risen! He is risen, indeed. Dear Lord, even as we recall those who have given their lives to assure our earthly freedom, may we also remember the gracious sacrifice made by the Savior as He defeated sin, the devil, and death so we might be forgiven and given eternal life. Grant this, Lord, to us all. Amen.
The tourists were visiting a quaint, little village in New England. As they walked by an old man who was sitting on a quaint bench in front of a quaint store, one lady, with a patronizing tone, asked, “Sir, there weren’t any famous men or women born in your quaint village, were there?” The old man hesitated, and then slowly replied, “No. Not a single important man or woman born here. Only babies.” This Memorial weekend our country remembers the one-and-a-third million Americans who have died in defense of freedom. These are men and women who gave everything they were and all they would ever be to their country. They were not born important nor were they conceived to be heroes. It is by virtue of their commitment and courage they have achieved prominence and it is for their sacrifice that they ought to be remembered.
The earthly resting places of these heroes are in Valley Forge, Gettysburg, and Mexico City, Panama, Normandy, and the Argonne. They have died in trenches, sailing the seven seas, and in helicopter crashes on the other side of the world. For their sacrifices, these heroes, when their bodies could be found, have been given a few square feet of foreign or native soil. The names of these martyrs to freedom are inscribed on the hearts of mothers and fathers, sweethearts, wives, children, and a small marker which has been raised above their graves. All too often their sacrifice has been anonymous as the markers read: “An Unknown Soldier” or a wreath says, “Lost at Sea”. Their passing may be recorded on a bronze tablet, carved on a black stone wall in Washington, or placed in the records where the awarding of posthumous medals is recorded. And although, strictly speaking, Memorial Day is designed for those who have left us, it is not so very wrong to recall those who, although still living, have also made a sacrifice, a different sacrifice, but one which is equally significant. We call to mind those who have lost their limbs and whose prosthesis or wheelchair is a constant reminder of their gift to us. This Memorial Day, with limitless gratitude, we recall those whose minds have never returned from the battlefield and those bodies who will never leave the hospital.
Yes, we should remember, but it is so easy to forget. It is forgetfulness which has shrunk the crowds which once gathered on this special day of remembrance to hear the patriotic speeches, watch the parades, and place flowers and flags above the remains of a loved one. How sad it is to see that for many Memorial Day has been demoted to a holiday with no more significance than Nerd Pride Day which falls on May 15th.
Now you and I know America can do little to repay those who have given their all. No nation can compensate the parents who have an aching, hollow spot within them. We cannot console spouses and sweethearts who mourn a lost love and changed life. For all her wealth America cannot replace the love a child will never know because a caring parent is never coming home. Sadly, regretfully, we can do little for these heroes… but that doesn’t mean America should do nothing.
This Memorial Day, before everyone has forgotten, it is right for us to ask: “How can we best remember these who have given their all? How can we make sure these dead have not died in vain?” It is my belief, if these 1,300,000 dead could rise up from their graves and speak to us for just a moment, most of them, without hesitation, would plead: “Remember us, and remember the causes for which we fought and died.”
But what should we remember? In July of 2012, America’s President Obama made a speech in Roanoke, Virginia. In that speech he asked Americans to remember. In part, this is what he said: “Look, if you’ve been successful, you didn’t get there on your own. You didn’t get there on your own. I’m always struck by people who think, well, it must be because I was just so smart. There are a lot of smart people out there. It must be because I worked harder than everybody else. Let me tell you something – there are a whole bunch of hardworking people out there. If you were successful, somebody along the line gave you some help. There was a great teacher somewhere in your life. Somebody helped to create this unbelievable American system that we have that allowed you to thrive.”
Now I’m not exactly sure who the President was thinking of when he said, “Somebody helped you create this unbelievable American system.” It is possible that he may have been referencing those who have died for freedom. Yes, that is a possibility; but it is not very likely that he, having achieved the summit of earthly power, was straightforwardly and unabashedly reminding America that: “Every good and perfect gift we have comes from the Lord.” (James 1:17) In saying this I intend neither disrespect nor disregard. Indeed, I can’t think of any present day national politician or global personage who would give such glory to God.
Still, honesty would compel America to remember our nation’s success has not been derived from some unidentified genetic ability; our achievements have not been brought about because we are smarter, nor is it because we have worked harder. As the President said, the world is filled with smart people and hard workers.
No, we are where we are because God has made it so. We need to remember that this nation, from day one, has been blessed by the Lord. It is He who has given us blessings, successes, comforts, and security. We need to remember that it is by God’s will this nation was created and it is by His wish that she continues on. Consider, what other nation on the face of the earth has been gifted with so much? From the time the first explorers set foot in North America they were given seemingly endless forests for building and for fuel; they enjoyed great rivers for trapping, travel, and transport. These first settlers were sustained by lakes filled with fish, by great herds of grazing animals, and flocks of birds so large they blotted out the sun when they took wing. For those who knew where to look the earth gave up its wealth in the form of mineral ores, metals, and oil. In many places, the soil was rich and the weather was moderate enough to provide a bounty of unprecedented produce. For almost two centuries America remembered that these bounties were God’s gifts. Remembering and resourced by these basic and abundant blessings fertile minds and far-seeing eyes came up with inventions and innovations that solved problems and created possibilities.
Yes, today it is right for America to remember that, even from before there was a nation it appeared the Lord provided protection in ways unprecedented and unparalleled. If you doubt me, then look to the diaries of the well-armed and better trained British forces who fought in the Revolutionary War. Again and again they speak of how God had miraculously aided and delivered Washington with his rag-tag army. Centuries later you can look at the history of World War II when a praying America was blessed by God. How those histories would have been changed if Nazi Germany and not the U.S. had first invented the atomic bomb.
Yes, both Scripture and history remind us to remember God’s hand in our history. We should remember but it is too easy and all too human for us to forget. In this forgetting we are not alone. Look at the Old Testament and you will see the Children of Israel almost always lived in a perpetual state of forgetfulness. Exodus gives numerous examples of how God’s people forgot how God had given them their freedom and how He had fed and led them in their wilderness wanderings.
Having noted humankind’s chronic amnesia, the Lord gave us a short reminder of what He wanted His people to remember. He said, “Love the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength.” He continued, “These commandments that I give you today are to be upon your hearts. Impress them on your children. Talk about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up. Tie them as symbols on your hands and bind them on your foreheads. Write them on the doorframes of your houses and on your gates.”
It was and remains God’s way of saying: “Don’t forget Me. Remember Me in the morning, in the evening, and in between. Remember Me to your children, so they grow up knowing and appreciating Me.” The Lord’s request was a simple one, but, almost always, it is a forgotten one. Humankind’s sinful nature hates being under obligation to God almost as much as governments love to take credit for good weather and great wealth.
God says, “Remember Me”, but people say, “We prefer to forget.” Helping us to forget God, our schools are being given books where history is being rewritten. In the bowdlerized history the Pilgrims no longer give thanks to God. No, it is the Indians who receive their praise and appreciation. Rather than educating our children about the faith of our founding fathers, children are being encouraged to forget the words of Washington who confessed, “It is impossible to rightly govern the world without God and the Bible.” And when they wrote, “We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable rights, that among these are Life, Liberty, and the pursuit of Happiness…” Well, today they would have us believe those words were only put in to placate the masses and make it seem as if God was involved in the struggle for independence.
In many ways America is trying to forget God, minimize His influence, and make Him appear to be altogether unnecessary. As a result, teachers are told to confine their classroom time to the education of a student’s body and mind and ignore his soul. Without God, no longer is it possible for them to categorically state: “This is right” and “That is wrong.” Because everything is relative, values have become fuzzy, morals formless, and virtues vague. Many are trying to eliminate God and then are shocked to see teens more committed to their gangs than they are to their nation; they are stunned to hear cheating is epidemic; that school bullying and suicides are increasing even as test scores are decreasing. They seemed shocked when sick-minded students enter a school with the murderous goal of being remembered for achieving a high body count among their classmates.
Many in America are trying to forget God and they want Christians to do the same. That is why they laugh at any Christian who holds fast to Scripture which says: “The wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ.” To help us forget the Christ who lived, died, and rose so we might be forgiven, both news and entertainment programs prefer to portray God’s people as being old-fashioned, narrow-minded, Scripture-misquoting simpletons, and clergy must be psychotic, prejudiced, perverted, or all three. Helping us to forget the Lord’s critics scornfully sneer and say: “Sin is a myth and your Savior causes people to be social and psychological failures.” “Forget the Creator,” they tell us. “Instead, join us in believing a thousand billion stars made themselves.” “Forget God,” they say and join us in believing a baby is not a God-given miracle; he or she is a product of happenstance, fate, Moira, kismet, and evolution.”
My friends, it is time for Christian America to remember. It is time for us to recall our faith, our life, our land, our eternal future comes from God. It is time for Christian America to remember that when the world says, “Everyone is basically good,” God replies, “All have sinned” (Romans 3:23). When the world says, “There is no heaven or hell,” God warns, “Man is destined to die…and after that…judgment” (Hebrews 9:27). When the world shrugs and says, “We can’t be sure of salvation or know if Christianity is correct,” Christians can confidently respond: “God has given us eternal life, and this life is in his Son. He who has the Son has life; he who does not have the Son of God does not have life.” (1 John 5:11b-12) “It is time to remember no politician ever died to save us and no leader can give us eternal life. Only Jesus can do that” (Jn 10:10).
And although the world will not applaud us, it is time for Christian America to listen to the Lord and impress His words upon our children. It is time for Christian America to talk of God’s love when we sit at home and when we walk along the road. When we lie down and when we get up, our thoughts should be of thanksgiving to God, who has, by virtue of the the sacrificial death and glorious resurrection of His Son, saved us from everlasting damnation.
This weekend is a time for us to remember those who have fallen and it is time for us to remember Him who has risen. It is time for us to remember men like the eleven who, having served in Afghanistan and Iraq, have one thing in common: they were awarded the Medal of Honor, the highest military award the United States can bestow. Wait, did I say they have only one thing in common? That is not entirely correct. They share something else. Let me tell you about them and see if you can find the second common denominator.
On April 4, 2003, Sergeant Paul Smith was killed when he held the enemy at bay so wounded soldiers could be carried to safety. In April of 2004, Corporal Jason Dunham having survived a hand-to-hand fight with the enemy hurled hurled himself on a grenade to protect his fellow Marines. On June 28 of 2005, Lieutenant Michael Murphy was killed when he exposed himself to enemy fire so help could be summoned for his buddies. In June of 2006, Jared Monti was killed rescuing a wounded soldier who was under enemy fire.
Do you see the thread? Let me continue. Let me tell you how, in September of 2006, Michael Monsoor saved the lives of his fellow SEALs by diving on a grenade. In December 4 of that same year, Specialist Ross McGinnis saved his comrades by throwing himself on a grenade which had been tossed into their Humvee. In January 2008, Sergeant Robert Miller was shot when he drew gunfire from Taliban forces so his fellow soldiers could escape.Not everyone on the list died saving another person. On October 25, 2007, Sergeant Salvatore Giunta risked his life saving a wounded soldier from being captured. On September 8, 2009, Sergeant Dakota Meyer defied orders from superiors and rescued 23 Afghan Allies and 13 Americans. At the Battle of Kamdesh in October of 2009, Sergeant Clinton Romesha saved others and then organized an attack against the enemy. Sergeant Leroy Petry lived. It is a miracle. Having been shot in both legs, he saved his fellow Rangers by picking up a live grenade and throwing it away. Sergeant Petry lost his hand saving others.
There is a common thread here. In these last minutes I have described and brought to your attention eleven who have and ought to be remembered for risking, and in most cases, giving their lives to save their friends, their comrades, the helpless. It is right that America honors their courage and sacrifice. Yet it is equally right that we honor the Lord Jesus who sacrificed Himself to save His enemies; who gave His life so all who believe on Him as Savior might be forgiven and given eternal life.
This is Memorial Day weekend and it is right we remember those who have fallen; even as it is right we help Him who has risen. Remember those who have died for your freedom and the Savior who died for your forgiveness. Remember. To that end, if we can help you, please, call us at The Lutheran Hour. Amen.
LUTHERAN HOUR MAILBOX (Questions & Answers) for May 26, 2013
Topic: Is It Sometimes Okay to Tell a Lie?ANNOUNCER: Is it sometimes okay to tell a lie? What if it’s for a really good reason? That’s today’s topic for our Speaker Emeritus, Pastor Ken Klaus. I’m Mark Eischer.
KLAUS: Hi, Mark, and hello to our listeners.
ANNOUNCER: This question was generated by a Daily Devotion you wrote. The title was, “Lying Losers.” In it, you talked about the ease with which people tell lies. With practice, we learn to become even more adept at our deceptions, if that’s possible. It reminded me of a certain politician years ago of whom it was said that he was “an unusually good liar.”
KLAUS: A dubious talent, to be sure. Actually, I was writing about a study that was published in the journal, Frontiers in Cognitive Science. Researchers found that, with a little practice, people can become efficient and proficient at telling lies.
ANNOUNCER: By the way, these Daily Devotions are available free of charge and can be sent to your email or downloaded to your phone or mobile device and later I’ll tell listeners how they can subscribe.
KLAUS: Sounds good. So the question is?
ANNOUNCER: Does God excuse or, perhaps, even condone lying under certain conditions? For example, in the Bible, Rahab lied to the king of Jericho when she hid the Israelite spies. In more recent history, the German theologian and Christian martyr, Dietrich Bonhoeffer, was asked during WWII if he knew the whereabouts of certain Jews who were hiding out from the Nazis. He said no, when actually he did know where that particular group was hiding. Later he said it would have been immoral and evil for him to have told the truth in that situation.
KLAUS: Rahab and Bonhoeffer telling lies in order to save lives.
ANNOUNCER: So, does God condone or, under certain circumstances, excuse lying?
KLAUS: Let’s set aside those examples for a bit. I’ve found that when you try to establish a truth from examples, things get really messy. Instead, let’s deal with some Scriptural facts. In John 4, Jesus says, “true worshippers will worship the Father in spirit and truth, for the Father is seeking such people to worship him.” In 2nd Corinthians 6, when St. Paul was speaking about why people should listen to him and be converted to faith in the Savior, he said, “as servants of God we commend ourselves in every way, including, ‘truthful speech.'” Talking about false oaths, in Matthew 5, Jesus Himself said, “Let what you say be simply ‘Yes’ or ‘No’; anything more than this comes from evil.”
ANNOUNCER: So, you could say that even as God’s Word is true, those who follow the Savior should also be known for their truthful speech.
KLAUS: That would be true.
ANNOUNCER: So, Bonhoeffer was wrong when he lied to the SS and Rahab also sinned by lying.
KLAUS: Now that we have the principle “Christians should tell the truth,” let’s apply that to situations and circumstances. First, a caveat, it needs to be said that it is the Lord, not me, who judges sin. Secondly, this sinful world is a very bad place. Sometimes choices are between the lesser of two evils and not whether the path we take is right and the other wrong. Third, it is easy for me to second-guess things when I am sitting here in the Lutheran Hour studio and not facing Nazi interrogators.
ANNOUNCER: So, now you’re trying to “walk it back” a little bit as they say?
KLAUS: No, but I wonder if there might not have been other alternatives to lying. For example: Bonhoeffer might have said nothing… or he might have said, “Yes, I know the location of the people you are looking for, but I cannot reveal that information to you.”
ANNOUNCER: But then the Nazis would have tortured him to reveal that.
KLAUS: That’s true. Once again, I’m not about to judge a hero of our faith, a martyr for the Savior. But I do know, in the early church, when Christians could have escaped a death sentence or the torturer by lying, all they had to do was burn a little incense or make a sacrifice to a false god, many of them chose to tell the truth and not take the easy way out.
ANNOUNCER: Even if telling the truth, in that case, would have cost them their lives.
KLAUS: Yes, they did that even if it cost them their lives.
ANNOUNCER: Thank you, Pastor Klaus. We mentioned earlier that today’s question was prompted by one of Pastor Klaus’ Daily Devotions. These devotions are available to our listeners free of charge. To subscribe, go to our website, lhm.org. That’s l-h-m(as-in-Michael).org. This has been a presentation of Lutheran Hour Ministries.
Music Selections for this program:
“A Mighty Fortress” arranged by Chris Bergmann. Used by permission.
“Glory Be to God the Father” arr. Wm Heyne. From Hope by the Concordia Seminary Chorus (© 2003 Concordia Seminary Chorus)
“O Holy, Blessed Trinity” arr. Henry Gerike. Used by permission.
“Holy, Holy, Holy” From The Concordia Organist (© 2009 Concordia Publishing House)
“Festival Fanfare for Organ” by Kenneth Leighton. From I AM Forever Who I AM by the University A Cappella Choir, Concordia University-Nebraska (© 2002 Concordia University-Nebraska) Carl Fischer Music, Inc.