The apostle Peter called for all Christians to remember the message of God proclaimed by the prophets and apostles. "This second epistle, beloved, I now write unto you; in both which I stir up your pure minds by way of remembrance: 2 That ye may be mindful of the words which were spoken before by the holy prophets, and of the commandment of us the apostles of the Lord and Saviour:" (2 Pet 3:1-2.) Even so, I feel like there is something to be gained by the living, to remember those who have gone before.
It is the custom on Memorial Day of many of our families to journey to the graves of their loved ones. Many spend hours and hundreds of dollars to make the old family cemetery look its best. Is it good to remember?

I believe also the respect that we pay to those who have died says much about the respect we have for ourselves.

Memorial Day, originally, was a day set aside by our government to remember our dead from the Civil War. Later it became a day to remember all our casualties from all wars.

We who feel the heat of the sun on our face owe much to those who are no longer in our midst. To remember them is to return to our beginnings, the very roots of our existence.

It is a good time not only to look back but to cherish the present. It is good to be alive. An event from the Old Testament reveals a needed attitude to adopt concerning the prospect of death. It was a time when King David faced the death of his small son. He said, "But now he is dead, wherefore should I fast? can I bring him back again? I shall go to him, but he shall not return to me. (2 Sam 12:23)

No nothing can bring back our loved ones who have gone before. However, their stay upon the earth has enriched us. Our lives have been indelible touched by their existence . To remember them is also to remind us of the fragile bloom of life and how quickly it can be snatched away. By facing such reality life receives a renewed importance. We must cherish each moment, as God would have us to do , and enjoy it to its fullest extent.

It is good, though painful, to be reminded that our body, as theirs, will soon lie beneath the sod . I often wondered whether someone will visit my grave and if they will take time to clean the cemetery? Well, the truth of the matter is when that time comes, what they do will be of no consequence to us. The only thing of importance will be where will my soul spends eternity.

Jesus offers the promise of eternal life to all who will follow Him. The Lord promises, "Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that heareth my word, and believeth on him that sent me, hath everlasting life, and shall not come into condemnation; but is passed from death unto life." (John 5:24) Again he says,."He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned. "(Mark 16:16)

Jesus makes the grave to the children of God a welcome destination for the body, for while the body sleeps the soul is with the Lord. Surely God looks upon the death of His people with a different perspective than man. The Psalmist declared, "Precious in the sight of the LORD is the death of his saints." (Psalms 116:15)

The apostle Paul speaks of a time when all the graveyards on all our mountains sides will be emptied of the precious remains that inhabit them. "Brothers, we do not want you to be ignorant about those who fall asleep, or to grieve like the rest of men, who have no hope. 14 We believe that Jesus died and rose again and so we believe that God will bring with Jesus those who have fallen asleep in him. 15 According to the Lord's own word, we tell you that we who are still alive, who are left till the coming of the Lord, will certainly not precede those who have fallen asleep. 16 For the Lord himself will come down from heaven, with a loud command, with the voice of the archangel and with the trumpet call of God, and the dead in Christ will rise first. 17 After that, we who are still alive and are left will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And so we will be with the Lord forever. 18 Therefore encourage each other with these words." (1 Th 4:13-18--New International Version)

"Fear not, little flock; for it is your Father's good pleasure to give you the kingdom." (Luke 12:32) Those in Christ need not fear, for THE DARKNESS OF DEATH WILL BE ILLUMINATED BY THE SHINING FACE OF JESUS.