Lest We Forget
Have you ever gotten to a long list of names in the Bible and skipped over them? I have. They don’t seem important and aren’t as interesting as the action bits.
But then I read this passage:
“These are the names of David’s mightiest warriors. The first was Jashobeam the Hacmonite, who was leader of the Three—the three mightiest warriors among David’s men. He once used his spear to kill 800 enemy warriors in a single battle. Next in rank among the Three was Eleazar son of Dodai, a descendant of Ahoah. Once Eleazar and David stood together against the Philistines when the entire Israelite army had fled. 10 He killed Philistines until his hand was too tired to lift his sword, and the Lord gave him a great victory that day. The rest of the army did not return until it was time to collect the plunder! Next in rank was Shammah son of Agee from Harar. One time the Philistines gathered at Lehi and attacked the Israelites in a field full of lentils. The Israelite army fled, but Shammah held his ground in the middle of the field and beat back the Philistines. So the Lord brought about a great victory” (2 Samuel 23:8-12 NLT).
Thanks to his men, David was able to survive the years of persecution and exile while King Saul was alive. Because of their dedication and sacrifice, David became the King of Israel. Yet we don’t often hear about them nor the many others whose incredible stories of loyalty and devotion would merit individual biographies if there were enough information about them.
Memorials list the names of those who died and each name represents a life, a story. Each name was tenderly called by loved ones in life and cried out in mourning in death. While we may not know who they were, we can take time to pause and honour their contribution in history.
This Saturday, 25 April, is ANZAC day, a day to remember and honour all those who gave their lives in all the military and peacekeeping operations in which Australia has been involved.
As we reflect on their sacrifice, let us remember that each life matters.
Let us take the time to read each name in sacred history.
And when we feel invisible and insignificant, let us remember these words of God:
“Can a mother forget her nursing child?
Can she feel no love for the child she has borne?
But even if that were possible,
I would not forget you!
See, I have written your name on the palms of my hands…” (Isaiah 49:15,16 NLT).
Our names are there, right above those crucifixion scars – a reminder to the universe that He who gave His life for us will never forget us.
by: Jinha Kim
"But those who drink the water I give them will never thirst. Indeed, the water I give them will become in them a spring of water welling up to eternal life." John 4:14