The book of Joshua closes with the death of some of its important persons. These are not the villains getting what they deserve. By reading the text and noticing the three men mentioned, we are reminded that even good men die, too! It may seem that some died too early or in less than a merciful manner. It may seem to be at the wrong time for the wrong person. No matter who is claimed by death, when it comes, the reply is almost always, “why.” On this memorial day, learn the meanings of death from these good men.
The only way to have hope in life is to have hope in death.(1 Corinthians 15:19) For those honorable men who made the ultimate sacrifice, death is not the end. It is for all of us, like them, to determine that we set our affections on the eternal and not the temporary. No man goes forward into battle thinking that he will be a hero. Nonetheless, that one man steps forward in heroic fashion for comrades and his nation. (When I use the pronoun “he,” I am also including the heroines, the females who made a difference by their courage.) Heroism is an anointing by circumstances that says fear has set aside by people who face real issues. We are talking about blood, pain, tears, and unexpected disappointments.
The only way to face life is to face death. (Romans 6:4) When that hero comes face-to-face with the likelihood of losing his life through death, he then knows the truth of living. Whether on the battlefield or at home, we all will be in that same situation without exception. When that moment happens, there is no way to reach a postponement. There is no retreat from the stark reality of being face to face with death. Think about it for a moment. How will you die? For what cause will you die? Will you be courageous? Will you step up eagerly to have your heart beat for the last time? Will you be faithful to the pledges that you arbitrarily and originally made? There may come a time, because there was a time in past history, in which we must stand forward for God and his kingdom, and for others. You may not be a hero on the front page of the news, yet you will be a hero to those that have loved you. Hopefully you will have left a powerful influence that will last beyond your death no matter in what way you have left your body.(Verse 31)
The only way to measure eternity is in terms of the short life your eternal soul has lived on this earth. (2 Corinthians 5:1-10) The hyphen on the man’s tombstone between the date of his birth and the date of his death is the sum total of how he lived. Ours is to claim the honor available at death from how we have lived. The man who was a servant of the Lord is the man that has the highest prospect for himself forever. (Verse 29) On this Memorial Day we have set aside 24 hours to remember the brave and the courageous who stood against an enemy in our behalf. Also, on this day, through death we will demonstrate the power of God because of his promise of a place with him in eternity. Death is the means by which we step forward into a room where God is leaving behind the sorrows of this world. Since all men will die, will they leave behind the reputation of being someone’s hero for God? In their absence they will be making room for more good man to fill their space, with the opportunity to be the person God wants him to be.
Christian Writer 