19 Best Bible Verses for Memorial Day To Honor the Fallen
We often consider Memorial Day to be the “official start of summer,” but it’s about so much more than a backyard barbecue, picnics, and celebrating with family. On Memorial Day we are reminded of the sacrifices made by the brave men and women who fought for our freedom and died for our country. As Christian moms and families, we can turn to the Bible for comfort and hope as we reflect on the lives of those who made the ultimate sacrifice. Here are 19 Bible verses for Memorial Day to help us remember and honor the fallen heroes.
I love those videos that show a military service member returning home. The ones where they surprise their families are even better. I wish I could say they bring a little tear to my eye, but the truth is, sometimes I bawl like a baby. It’s heartwarming to see those men and women reunited with the ones they love.
While I cry tears of joy for those who have returned home, there’s a different feeling when I see the photos and videos of the flag-covered coffins, weeping widows and mothers, and the folded flag. The brave men and women who died for our freedom deserve our honor and respect. As a mom, I want my kids to know and understand that there is someone out there who was willing to die so we can be free.
Those in our military who have died for our freedom are representations of Jesus Christ, Who gave His life for our sins. God’s Word tells us that there is no greater love than to die for a friend.
Only two defining forces have ever offered to die for you, Jesus Christ and the American Soldier. One died for your soul; the other for your freedom.
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Where Does the Bible Talk About Memorials?
God has a lot to say in the Bible about remembering the past. In the Old Testament, as the children of Israel journeyed from the land of Egypt, God often had them set up memorials along the way to remember His miracles. Sometimes He gave them days to set aside for a memorial. (Exodus 12) When they crossed into the Promised Land, He had them set up stones in the middle of the Jordan River as a memorial of deliverance. (Joshua 4)
In the book of 1 Samuel, we see that the Israelites won a great battle against the Philistines, and Samuel set up a stone. He called it Ebenezer, which means “a stone of help.” It was meant to remind them that God had given them the victory.
In the same way, God wants us to remember the things He has done for us in the past, as well as those who have helped us along the way. Washington DC and other cities and towns around the United States have set up monuments to remember those who have given their lives.
But that’s not enough. Each of us should remember them in our hearts and honor their sacrifice. The Bible says there is no greater sacrifice than to lay down your life for a friend. Military members who have made the ultimate sacrifice for our freedom deserve this Memorial Day when we remember what they have done for us.
A Brief History of Memorial Day in the United States
Memorial Day falls on the last Monday in May each year. The day is set aside to honor the fallen soldiers who have died while serving our country. It was originally called Decoration Day and was established after the Civil War.
Eventually, it was renamed Memorial Day and was declared a federal holiday in 1971. Many Americans spend the day visiting cemeteries and placing flags or flowers on the graves of those who have died in service.
19 Memorial Day Bible Verses
As we approach Memorial Day, our hearts are filled with gratitude. We are grateful for the men and women who have died, as well as family members who must spend the rest of their lives without the person they love.
As Americans, we should be grateful every day for the freedoms we have. Memorial Day gives us the opportunity to recognize that those freedoms came from the sacrifice of others.
The Word of God gives us these Memorial Day Scriptures that help us honor the fallen, respect their families, and celebrate our liberty. It’s also a day to consider all the current members of the military and pray for them.
John 15:13-Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends.
This verse speaks of the ultimate sacrifice that Jesus made for us, and it also applies to the brave men and women who gave their lives for their country. It reminds us that their love for their fellow Americans was great, and they willingly laid down their lives to protect us.
1 Corinthians 1:3-4-Blessed be God, even the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies, and the God of all comfort; Who comforteth us in all our tribulation, that we may be able to comfort them which are in any trouble, by the comfort wherewith we ourselves are comforted of God.
God sees those who are hurting, and He offers comfort. On Memorial Day, we should take time to pray that God will comfort the hearts of family members whose child, parent, or spouse was killed while serving their country.
2 Timothy 2:3-4-Thou therefore endure hardness, as a good soldier of Jesus Christ. No man that warreth entangleth himself with the affairs of this life; that he may please him who hath chosen him to be a soldier.
These verses written by the apostle Paul to a young Timothy remind us that the Christian life is similar to that of a soldier. Those in the armed forces endure a lot of hard things in order to serve their country. They endure these hard these because they love our nation more than they love their own lives.
Isaiah 40:31-But they that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint.
This verse reminds us that when we put our hope and trust in the Lord, he will give us the strength we need to endure difficult times. We can honor the fallen heroes by having hope in the Lord and living our lives in a way that honors their sacrifices. It’s also a great reminder for us to pray for our military daily as they face struggles and battles that we often don’t see.
Psalm 82:3-4-Defend the poor and fatherless: do justice to the afflicted and needy. Deliver the poor and needy: rid them out of the hand of the wicked.
God commands us to defend those who can’t defend themselves, and no one does this more than members of the military. On Memorial Day we should honor them for defending our homes and families in a way we can’t.
Romans 13:7-Render therefore to all their dues: tribute to whom tribute is due; custom to whom custom; fear to whom fear; honour to whom honour.
This verse in the New Testament tells us that we should give honor to those who deserve it. Fallen soldiers certainly deserve our honor and respect. On this last Monday of May, we should take the opportunity to honor them in our hearts, and physically if we can.
Psalm 23:4-6-Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me. Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies: thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over. Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life: and I will dwell in the house of the Lord for ever.
Psalm 23 is one of the most popular and comforting passages in the Bible. We spend Memorial Day thinking of those who have made the ultimate sacrifice. But we also think of those who are currently serving in the military. We should pray that God will offer comfort to them and their families as well.
Psalm 46:1–God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.
This verse assures us that God is always with us, even in times of trouble and uncertainty. As we remember the sacrifices made by our fallen heroes, we should pray that God will offer His comfort and strength to their family and friends.
Romans 8:38-39–For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.
These powerful verses remind us that nothing can separate us from the love of God. We can know that service men and women who are Christians are never separated from God’s love, even when they are faced with injury or death.
Proverbs 10:7-The memory of the just is blessed: but the name of the wicked shall rot.
On Memorial Day, we take time to remember those who died for our freedom. As the saying goes, “We don’t know them all, but we owe them all.” Their memory should live on, and even if we don’t know their names, we should honor their service and sacrifice.
John 14:27-Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.
How can we be peaceful in the middle of struggles? Because our peace comes from God. We can pray for peace in our nation and in our world, as well as peace for those who are fighting for our freedom. Those who may be dealing with the death of a loved one in the service also need God’s peace as they walk through this difficult time.
2 Timothy 4:7-I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith:
Paul wrote these verses in one of his final letters before his death. It’s a beautiful verse to include in funeral Scriptures at the service of a fallen soldier.
Psalm 116:15-Precious in the sight of the Lord is the death of his saints.
While we on Earth are saddened when we lose a loved one if that person is a Christian, they are welcomed into Heaven with joy.
A Memorial Day Prayer
I hope that this Memorial Day weekend you will take a break from all the hustle, bustle, and fun, and take a moment to consider this collection of Bible verses. Then, take a few moments to thank God for those who have put country and freedom above their own interests, and showed the greatest love by laying down their lives.
Also, think of those who are currently serving, whether at home or on deployment in a faraway land. Pray for their safety and protection, and that God will give them comfort and peace.
Prayer: O, Lord, I thank You for the blessings of freedom and liberty and the gift of peace You have given to us in the United States. I thank You for those who made the ultimate sacrifice and laid down their lives for us. I pray today for comfort for their families and friends who may be missing them, and sharing memories of times they spent together.
Also, please bless those who are serving our country right now. I pray that You would keep them safe and that You would give them peace and strength when they need it.
Heavenly Father, please help us never to forget to be thankful for those who have defended our country and displayed a great love for their country. Thank You, as the ultimate Author of our freedom for blessing our nation. In Jesus’ name. Amen.
Conclusion
As we celebrate Memorial Day, let’s remember and honor the brave men and women who gave their lives for our freedom. Let’s also turn to the Bible for comfort and hope, and take heart in these 19 Bible verses for Memorial Day.
May God bless America, and may we never forget the sacrifices made by our fallen heroes.
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