Remembering . . .

Sixty-two years ago next month, Donald Nelson found himself crouching in a landing craft speeding toward Omaha Beach. As the boat-ramp dropped in front of him, he staggered out of the craft beneath the 70 pounds of gear strapped to his back. He was the fourth man off the vessel. The third man didn’t make it; he died at the water line. Nelson stepped over his fallen comrade and fought his way into France.

Before the invasion of Normandy was secure, 29,000 Americans would die. So would 11,000 British soldiers and 5,000 Canadians.

Freedom isn’t free. It never has been. Today’s liberty was purchased by the blood of our fathers and grandfathers, and it is preserved by the blood of our brothers, sisters, sons, and daughters. Whenever and wherever tyranny is confronted, there is always a price to be paid, and that price is almost always paid in blood.

Two thousand years ago, Jesus Christ paid a price for our spiritual freedom. The Apostle Paul wrote,

When we were utterly helpless, Christ came at just the right time and died for us sinners. Now, no one is likely to die for a good person, though someone might be willing to die for a person who is especially good. But God showed his great love for us by sending Christ to die for us while we were still sinners. And since we have been made right in God's sight by the blood of Christ, he will certainly save us from God's judgment. For since we were restored to friendship with God by the death of his Son while we were still his enemies, we will certainly be delivered from eternal punishment by his life. So now we can rejoice in our wonderful new relationship with God—all because of what our Lord Jesus Christ has done for us in making us friends of God. Romans 5:6-11 (NLT)

Thank God for men like Donald Nelson who stood in the line of fire so we could be free. And thank God for His Son, Jesus Christ, who paid the ultimate price so we could be eternally free!