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Memorial Day Scriptures: Bible Verses For Remembering Fallen Soldiers

By Charisse Van Horn
Published on: 04:57 PST, May 29, 2016

Memorial Day Scriptures and Bible verses are used by many as a way to show their respect for fallen soldiers. There are several patriotic holidays observed in the United States. These include Memorial Day, Veterans’ Day and the Fourth of July or Independence Day. On the Fourth of July the nation celebrates its birth. Memorial Day and Veterans’ Day are times to celebrate, honor and show reverence for those who’ve served in the military. However, Memorial Day honors those veterans who sacrificed their lives for the nation, while Veterans’ Day recognizes all who served in the military. For Christians, Memorial Day is in line with Biblical teachings of making the ultimate sacrifice for others as this is the basis of Christian theology and the expression of the Bible verse found in John 15:3 that states, “Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends.” (KJV). Memorial Day is a time to honor those fallen soldiers who laid down their lives for the safety, freedom and well-being of every American citizen. Whether for personal Bible study, devotions or needing Scriptures for your own Memorial Day traditions, the following Bible verses express the sentiment behind Memorial Day.

Because Memorial Day is a time to honor those who died in service, Bible verses that offer comfort, assurance of salvation, resurrection of the body and the reunion of believers after death offer great hope to those grieving the loss of loved ones. Scripture also talks about believers as “soldiers in Christ” and these Bible verses are often used in Memorial Day observances. The following video puts many applicable Bible verses with photos that express the grief and sorrow that often accompanies Memorial Day and those who’ve lost friends and family. There is great hope for Christians who believe that though their loved ones paid the ultimate sacrifice in their service to their nation, they will one day be reunited in heaven.

Dr. Eric Z from Living the Abundant Life compiled a list of 21 Bible Verses for Memorial Day.

The list begins with a look at Ecclesiastes chapter 3 verses 1-8. As these verses are found in Judaism through the Torah and in Christianity through the Bible, the passages are applicable to many who are grieving. The passage speaks about times in life and how everything has a season, including war and peace.

“1 To every thing there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven:

2 A time to be born, and a time to die; a time to plant, and a time to pluck up that which is planted;

3 A time to kill, and a time to heal; a time to break down, and a time to build up;

4 A time to weep, and a time to laugh; a time to mourn, and a time to dance;

5 A time to cast away stones, and a time to gather stones together; a time to embrace, and a time to refrain from embracing;

6 A time to get, and a time to lose; a time to keep, and a time to cast away;

7 A time to rend, and a time to sew; a time to keep silence, and a time to speak;

8 A time to love, and a time to hate; a time of war, and a time of peace.” (KJV)

The song Turn, Turn, Turn by The Byrds was based on Ecclesiastes Chapter 3.

Many people find comfort from Scripture on Memorial Day. Powerful verses such as Psalm 46:9 remind those who are grieving that the day is coming when all wars will cease and peace will reign.

Psalm 116:15 reminds those left behind that the death of the saints is precious to God.

[Photo by Susan Law Cain/Shutterstock]

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