12/07/2025
Remember Pearl Harbor.
On December 7, 1941, the quiet morning at Pearl Harbor was shattered as the Imperial Japanese Navy launched a sudden and devastating attack on the U.S. Pacific Fleet. In just a few hours, battleships burned, aircraft were destroyed, and more than 2,400 Americans lost their lives.
It was an event marked by shock, sacrifice, and courage. Sailors, soldiers, and civilians alike responding in the midst of chaos with a resolve that would shape the course of history. The attack thrust the United States into World War II, but it also united the nation in a shared sense of duty, grief, and determination.
Remembering Pearl Harbor is not merely recalling a date; it is an act of honoring the men and women whose lives were taken while fulfilling their duty. Scripture calls God’s people to remember deeds of significance, especially those tied to sacrifice and protection.
When Israel crossed the Jordan, God commanded them to set up stones “so that this may be a sign among you… that all the peoples of the earth may know the hand of the Lord” (Joshua 4:6–7). Likewise, remembrance preserves gratitude and teaches future generations the cost of the freedoms they enjoy.
The defense of a nation is not rejected by Scripture; rather, God strengthens the hands of those who protect others, “Blessed be the Lord my Rock, who trains my hands for war” (Psalm 144:1), and acknowledges that there is “a time for war and a time for peace” (Ecclesiastes 3:8).
As Americans, it is our duty to appreciate the sacrifices made on our behalf and to honor those who stand in harm’s way. In doing so, we embody the biblical call to honor our Lord first, and as Paul said when speaking on submission to authorities, “give honor to whom honor is owed” (Romans 13:7).
Thus, remember with gratitude those who have defended freedom at the highest cost.