Remember the 15s

First called Decoration Day, Memorial Day was nationally observed on May 30, 1868, to honor Union soldiers who lost their lives in the Civil War.[1] In 1873, New York officially recognized this day as a holiday, and by 1890, every other state had joined them. After two world wars, the day became an official time for remembering and mourning all service members who died while serving their country.

Ecclesiastes 7:3 says, “Grief is better than laughter, for when a face is sad, a heart may be glad.” This is a fitting verse for Memorial Day. Mourning is appropriately accompanied by a particular pride and appreciation for the freedom we experience because of sacrifice. Grief, therefore, contains a deeper meaning than laughter. 
            
You probably have noticed that Memorial Day greetings can be somewhat awkward. When someone says, “Happy Memorial Day!” that is not a well-thought-out appropriate acknowledgment. There is nothing happy about death, especially the tragic loss for those in horrific battles.  

In the Bible, the number 15 pictures rest, which follows deliverance represented by 14.[2] Two Hebrew holidays are celebrated on the 15th of the first month (Nisan) and the 15th of the seventh month (Tishrei). The former is the first day of the Feast of Unleavened Bread and is to be a day of rest. The latter starts the Feast of Tabernacles and is also a rest day. If you visit https://www.biblestudy.org/bibleref/meaning-of-numbers-in-bible/15.html you can see the numerous biblical appearances and significance of 15. What does this have to do with Memorial Day?

Memorial Day should be a day of rest in remembering those who have fallen. And there is a much better greeting we can adopt for this holiday. I suggest that we might best remember this by remembering the 15s as in Psalm 115:15.  
  
Meditation
Psalm 115:15--May you be blessed by the Lord, the Maker of heaven and earth.
 
Have a blessed Memorial Day! As you remember, consider that the most definitive death ever suffered in combat was that of Jesus Christ. Hung on a cross, He was brutally murdered by the people He came to save. Jesus fought against Satan, and because of His victory, a win that far exceeds the temporary freedoms won by mortal soldiers, we have the certainty through faith of eternal heritage.  
            
So, may you be blessed by this incredibly loving Creator of life.  May your sorrows turn to joy. May your greatest hopes in Him be realized. As you remember the fallen on Memorial Day, remember the 15s and the victory and, therefore, the blessings you have because of Jesus!  Something to think about . . . in reveration!
 
Inspiration
Death leaves a heartache no one can heal, love leaves a memory no one can steal.—From an Irish headstone

©2011 Daniel York  ARR.  Reveration is the weekly devotional ministry of First Cause.  If you would like to receive these devotionals go to www.firstcause.org and click on the “Click here to receive weekly devotionals” box.  Unlimited permission to copy this devotional without altering text or profiteering is allowed subject to the inclusion of this copyright notice.      
 
Ecclesiastes 12:10-The Teacher sought to find delightful sayings and to accurately write words of truth.  (Holman CSB)
 


[1] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Memorial_Day
[2] https://www.biblestudy.org/bibleref/meaning-of-numbers-in-bible/15.html