Remembrance Day

Morning Devotions November 11^th 2009     Psalm 106:1-24

Today is Remembrance Day and I have just spent 2 minutes in silence (at 11am) remembering those who lost their lives in war. War is sad particularly when a nation must rise up in defense against an aggressor and when many innocent lives are lost. I don’t however really understand war. Back in my ‘varsity days I had a poster in my digs with a soldier holding a rifle with a daisy in the barrel. The words said, “What if they gave a war and nobody came …” I was conscripted into the army as a young man but never saw battle – praise God! But I understand the comradeship of soldiers in arms and what the loss of a comrade can mean.

Our text today has an interesting slant relating to community …

^4 Remember me, O LORD, when you show favor to your people, come to my aid when you save them,

^5 that I may enjoy the prosperity of your chosen ones,

that I may share in the joy of your nation

and join your inheritance in giving praise.

It is interesting that the writer (who also had a hand in writing 1 Chronicles) sees blessing coming to community rather than to individuals, so “remember me, when you show favour to your people” and “May I enjoy the prosperity of the chosen and share in the joy of the nation and join your inheritance (Israel) in giving praise (for what you have done)”.

It is in community that the Lord blesses us and that has a whole lot to say about what we do with the blessings we do receive. Did we receive that blessing as an individual (for our selfish enjoyment) or as a member of a community (and so to share it)?

And so, as a warrior remembers the fallen, so he knows that he is blessed by the life given for him and the community. “Greater Love has no man than this, that he lay down his life for his friends.” And there is One who laid down His life for us – we have been blessed by His life giving sacrifice. He has called us into community to share in the blessing of His Love. My life in Christ is no longer my own – it is His and it is lived in the midst of His Community, and there I find the greatest blessing of all.