"Remember the days of old, consider the years of many generations: ask thy father, and he will shew thee; thy elders, and they will tell thee" (Deuteronomy 32:7).

On this Memorial Day, as we honor the forefathers of our nation, especially those who gave their lives to preserve our land of the free, it is well to remember that our own national history is relatively brief.

It is striking to realize that the nation of Israel began with Moses and the millions he led out of Egypt to their promised home over three thousand years ago. Even then, they could look back over centuries of preparation.

Our text above records the words of Moses to the people as they were preparing to enter the Promised Land. He exhorted them to remember their fathers -- Abraham and Isaac, and on back to father Adam himself (Deuteronomy 32:8). They also had to overcome many struggles and difficulties, yet remained faithful to their calling and God kept His promise to give them a national home.

It is surely in order for us today to "consider the years of many generations" that have gone before us and left us a great legacy in our own country. That gift needs to be guarded now in our generation lest we, like the Israelites of old, descend into such unbelief that God's judgment falls on us too, as it did on them when they rebelled against God.

After all, we are a Gentile nation -- not God's elect nation Israel. There have been other such nations in the past, but "when they knew God, they glorified Him not as God, neither were thankful; but became vain in their imaginations, . . . Professing themselves to be wise, they became fools," and "God gave them up" (Romans 1:21-22,26).

By God's grace, we must continue to honor the God of our fathers, the freedom He has given us, and those who have won and kept these truths for us. HMM