Stand Alone Sermon: Memorial Day

“I can do it myself!”  Most parents have heard their toddler express the independence of the human spirit that refuses to acknowledge the need for help … even when it is needed.  But it is not only toddlers or young children who believe they can live life without help!  While it is good to work hard, to persevere through struggles, to use all the talents and abilities God has given to accomplish what He desires for you to do to serve Him and to serve others, the fact is, you and I need help … we need GOD!!  As many around us live “without hope and without God in the world” (Ephesians 2:12), God calls His people to depend on Him and to testify to His faithfulness, to remember what He has done.  The people of Israel had been crying out to the LORD in their time of struggles and the “Ark of the Covenant” had been returned to Israel after having been taken by the Philistines.  But now the armies of the enemy were gathering once again and in fear the people came to Samuel and asked him to pray to the LORD for them.  They confessed their sin and Samuel made an offering to the LORD.  Then he set up a “stone of help,” “Ebenezer,” a marker, a reminder of their cries and of the LORD’s deliverance:  “Till now the LORD has helped us!”  As God heard their cry, so He hears ours today!  Drawing near to God in repentance and faith leads to God’s peace and rest.  Surely, He has been and is with those who come to Him in the name of Jesus today!  He is our God, our Help in ages past and our hope for years to come!!!