“This is where they got it for us.”

“It is finished.” He got through for us!”

A decade and a half before Memorial Day became a federal holiday in 1971, Billy Graham was in Boston to deliver a memorial address to the Veterans of Foreign Wars. The year was 1955, and he had just finished visiting many U.S. military installations in Europe. Below is an excerpt of his timeless message, which still rings true this Memorial Day as we remember with gratitude the sacrifices of so many for our nation.

In all the American idiom, there is no more endearing word than “buddy.” It is warm, with intonations of friendship, brotherhood and common purpose. We are assembled today to pay tribute to those, our “buddies,” who poured out their full measure of devotion upon the altar of freedom.

Thousands of you gathered here could tell dramatic stories of heroism which you yourself have seen acted out by your buddies on the grim stage of war’s theater. They have left this realm of time and space, they have out-stripped us in life’s races, but the sacred memory of their selflessness and the freedom they died to obtain will live forever.

Three weeks ago, I had the privilege of spending an afternoon with President (Dwight D.) Eisenhower at Gettysburg. He took me on a personally conducted tour of the Battlefield of Gettysburg, explaining the strategy used by both the Confederate and Union forces. Both of my grandfathers fought at Gettysburg. This famous battlefield, and hundreds of others like it, have become hallowed soil, where thousands of Americans have died either to preserve freedom, prevent aggression or keep intact the union of American states.

“It was worth it if it will keep America free!”

Some months ago when President Eisenhower was touring the Battlefield at Valley Forge and was being shown from one historic spot to another, he made this statement at the conclusion of the tour: “This is where they got it for us.”

What did he mean? He meant that those men, and thousands of others in all the wars that America has fought, purchased by their blood the freedoms that we enjoy today in “the land of the free, and the home of the brave.” That terse statement from the lips of our president has rung in my ears for many months. …

These battlefields of the world today are hallowed and holy to every American, and we pause to give them our highest honors, humbly realizing the sacred trust that these, our war dead, have handed to us.

I stood by the bedside of a boy in Korea whose spine had been torn away by a shell blast the night before, but by some miracle he was still living. He was unable to change his position; and if he lived, the doctor informed me, the rest of his days would be spent lying on his stomach. The army medics had patched him up the best they could. I gripped his cold, perspiring hand and said words of comfort to him. He made a statement I will never forget. He said: “It was worth it if it will keep America free!”

“Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends.” John 15:13

That’s what you call “getting it for us”! As we think of the selflessness and heroism of such fellows, we are reminded of the words of Jesus Christ who said: Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends.”

The freedoms we enjoy, the freedoms we take so much for granted, the freedoms we so often trifle with were bought not by the gold of our millionaires, nor altogether the genius of our scientists, nor the sacrifices of the people at home, but primarily by the blood, sweat and agony of those whose names on this day we honor—those who died that we might live!

They found, as have brave men of all ages, that there are principles well worth dying for. Their noble, unselfish sacrifice is a silent, eloquent rebuke to the self-centeredness of this generation. Let those who want “peace at any price” remember this day that thousands have died for honor and freedom and that what we have today has come at the price of shed blood. …

As I stood in the hospital quarter of the Danish ship “Jutlandia” in Korean waters by an American boy scarcely 20 years of age and watched helplessly as this young life ebbed away, I thought: What right have thousands of pleasure-seeking Americans to go on living when this lad in the early flower of youth has to die? And in that moment, the fact dawned on me that if he had to die for America, some of us must live for America. Sometimes it is far more difficult to live than it is to die. They have handed us a torch, and we have a responsibility to see that they have not died in vain.

Even though the sacrifices of our war dead have been great, yet the greatest sacrifice of all time was made by a man on a cross who died not only physically but spiritually that men might live. We have neglected Him too long! We have rejected His plan for peace, and as a result, we have fought, bled and died for centuries! I challenge the world at this hour to accept His program of heart regeneration that can transform the society in which we live, and we can know the meaning of genuine peace in our time. …

Yes the bells of liberty ring in America today because these men we honor today got through for us. The sacred memory of their sacrifice will always live in our hearts, and we have a sacred and holy trust—and we cannot fail them!

“It is finished.” He got through for us!

My mind goes back 2,000 years to another battle which was fought on a hill called Calvary. It was a battle of one young man against all the forces of evil. It seemed like a futile, hopeless struggle as Jesus Christ took on Satan’s task force single-handed. The jeers of the rabble, the spittle of the soldiers and the sneering of the people were incidental compared to the inner struggle which was taking place in His soul. But I watch Him, in fancy, as one hand is stretched out toward God and the other toward rebellious man, and He makes the connection and says: “It is finished.” He got through for us!

If we are to be strong spiritually, it will be through Him. Thousands today are finding a fresh, new meaning of life through Him. They are learning to say with confidence, “I can do all things through Christ, which strengthened me.” We can best keep faith with those who have gone before by keeping faith with ourselves, with our highest ideals and with God.

Orginal Link https://billygraham.org/story/a-timeless-billy-graham-message-for-memorial-day/

“man does not live on bread alone but on every word that comes from the mouth of the Lord.”  Deuteronomy 8:3, Matthew 4:4

There is no triumph without testing. 

There can never be a revealing of what controls us without a time of testing.  Testing is not pleasant, however testing with the right attitude and focus can bring about powerful weapons for battles.  It is in the testing that these weapons are revealed, sharpened, bloodied, and victorious. Jesus came out of the baptismal waters fully immersed in the power of the Holy Spirit.  While Jesus lived a sinless life growing up as Mary and Joseph’s son, He was going to enter a time of intense spiritual battle as His ministry begins and ends at the terrible wonderful cross.  Jesus needed to be tested, strengthened, attacked, and come out victorious to equip Himself for His ministry.

40 days – 40 years

During the forty-day fast Jesus identifies with Israel in the wilderness.  Israel was sent to the wilderness because of unbelief.  God was going to teach them a long lesson.  Jesus was sent by the Holy Spirit for forty days to be strengthened.  During the wilderness trials of Israel and Jesus, a withdrawal from provisions are placed upon them or in Jesus’ case was self-induced.  As a time of physical need becomes a reality, our bodies begin to ask for supply, for food, pleasure, peace, escape. 

Faith grows out of emptiness.

Israel complained about the lack of provisions and God supplied manna and water to sustain.  What was also being provided to Israel was faith in God.  Although they complained to Moses,  there was also a  strengthening of faith in God.   Jesus fasted forty days knowing God was preparing Him for the mission.  His body cried out for food, Jesus’ soul cries out for God.

The Jericho Victory

After forty years of growing faith and knowledge of God Israel once again faces Jericho.  The once believed unbeatable kingdom was now a possibility because of what was learned in the forty years. Our supply and hope are not from food and drinks only, but from God who supplies, defends, and delivers victories in impossible situations.  The devil tempted Christ to turn the rocks into bread and eat.  He was very hungry as his body was screaming for food.  But a greater cry came out of Christ’s soul.  He quoted from Deuteronomy 8 a truth that we must learn in the testing to succeed and mature in faith.

Deuteronomy 8:1-3  Be careful to follow every command I am giving you today, so that you may live and increase and may enter and possess the land the Lord promised on oath to your ancestors. ² Remember how the Lord your God led you all the way in the wilderness these forty years, to humble and test you in order to know what was in your heart, whether or not you would keep his commands. ³ He humbled you, causing you to hunger and then feeding you with manna, which neither you nor your ancestors had known, to teach you that man does not live on bread alone but on every word that comes from the mouth of the Lord.

You may be in a time of testing right now. 

Don’t look only for the needs of your body and family.  Allow this time of testing to strengthen your faith in God and His word.  It may be good for you to fast a few days to place your body and soul in a place of need as you cry out to God.  He will strengthen you as you call out to Him.  Use your faith in the trial against Satan and triumph over his temptations and suggestions. 

Israel entered the promised land.  Jesus was victorious on the cross and prepared a promised land for us.  Walk this world fighting the good fight with every word that comes out of God Word.  You will find a sharpened, ready weapon beside your glowing lightnside.

The law of the Lord is perfect, refreshing the soul. The statutes of the Lord are trustworthy, making wise the simple.  Psalm 19:7 NIV

God’s word effects our mind, spirit and path.

The greatness of God’s word and it’s effect on our lives are recorded in the second half of this Psalms. The word is active. It is alive and brings with it an active influence into one’s life.  Even if you don’t remember what you read yesterday,  the fact that the word went through your mind and heart, it creates a reaction.  This Psalms records the effect of God’s word in your mind and soul.

Attributes and Reactions

The Psalmist elegantly describes the attributes of God’s words  then list’s it’s effect in our mind, body and soul.  God’s word is perfect, trustworthy, right, radiant, pure, firm, more precious than gold. The Word’s produces refreshing, wisdom, joy, light, endurance, righteousness, and sweetness.  Want to be sweeter to others?  Answer: God’s Word!

There are also some preventive properties in God’s Word.  These properties are the added results beyond the benefits mentioned above.  These properties are like taking vitamins or getting a flu shot.  Protection and insulation are the added benefits from God’s word. This protective effect of a daily intake of scripture is found in verses 11-13.

Verse 11: “BY THEM” (the daily dose of God’s word):

We are warned – Understanding consequences of choices.

Exposes hidden faults cannot see –  Brings to the surface hidden behaviors and beliefs that have secretly caused us harm.

Keeps us from allowing willful sins to rule over us. 

Keeps our life away from choosing life destroying paths. 

Because of the scrubbing, correcting, healing and joyful  work of God Truths we conclude and desire with David as we say with lightnside:“Let our words and thoughts be pleasing to God. My Lord (relationship), my Rock (security), my redeemed (active Grace and Mercy).” 

Acts 10:9 Peter went up on the roof to pray. 10 He became hungry and wanted something to eat, and while the meal was being prepared, he fell into a trance. 11 He saw heaven opened and something like a large sheet being let down to earth by its four corners. 12 It contained all kinds of four-footed animals, as well as reptiles and birds. 13 Then a voice told him, “Get up, Peter. Kill and eat.”

God was planning on using Peter in a new way that would challenge some of his beliefs and traditions. God was opening the gospel to nations outside the Jews. But it was going to require a change in Peter’s thinking and traditions. God put Peter in a trance and lowered a sheet down that had many unclean animals by Peter’s standards. God said Rise, Kill, and Eat. Peter replied, “no, I have never eaten from unclean animals.” God said, “Do not call unclean what I have made clean.”

God was calling Peter to change a tradition and belief that was so ingrained that any thought of changing was unthinkable. Sometimes God will call us to change our daily patterns of activity and focus to be used by God. It may challenge us. God may be wanting to use you in a new and fantastic way. To do that, He must place a revelation be used by God, which will require you to change some habits and traditions in your life. After the vision, men from Cornelius arrived to ask for Peter. Peter went with them and followed God’s leading.

Rise

God showed Peter the trance to challenge his traditions and beliefs. Peter had to do more than just think about it. He had to put action toward this effort. It may not be an evil habit, but God may be wanting you to change your life habits to open up more time for God. Today we have so many distractions surround us with streaming tv, social media, cell phone addiction, sports, and other activities. God may challenge you to change your daily focus. God told Peter to make a change, to do something outside his comfortable daily habits. Peter left with the gentiles. God may be calling you to spend more time with Him, to lead a small group, to change your thoughts about someone or a class of people. Reading more Godly books—volunteer for His purposes. You will need to rise from your normal life and make a change to follow God.

Kill

God was not only calling Peter to kill the animals (which he did not do). He called on Peter to kill some of his traditional beliefs. He knew it was God speaking to challenge him in a new way. To not call unclean what God has made clean. Peter was challenged to change his way of thinking. Peter was challenged not to let his past prejudice stop what God was doing. You may be challenged to kill some daily habits, things that would interfere being used by God. Kill some addictive habits that keep you away from the Bible, prayer, and time to meditate on God and His word.

Eat

God was telling Peter this new journey was His plan. Peter was expected to follow God and the Holy Spirit by faith. When Peter later saw what God was doing, it changed his whole life.

God used Peter in powerful ways to grow His church in the Gentile world. God’s revelation to Peter that day on the roof challenged him to take action (Rise) in his life to trust God, to make changes (Kill) in his own traditions, and to walk in faith (Eat) and fellowship with God.

Following God is a challenge and requires changing elements of our own lives and habits. You never know what God will do with a person who, like Peter, will rise, kill, and eat their way to a powerful man or woman of God.
Let you lightnside be challenged by God this week.