Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a merchant seeking beautiful pearls, 46 "who, when he had found one pearl of great price, went and sold all that he had and bought it. (Mat 13:45-46)
History records that early in the morning of December 7, 1941, Japanese submarines and carrier-based planes attacked the U.S. Pacific fleet at Pearl Harbor. Nearby military airfields were also attacked by the Japanese planes. Eight American battleships and 13 other naval vessels were sunk or badly damaged, almost 200 American aircraft were destroyed, and approximately 3,000 naval and military personnel were killed or wounded. The attack marked the entrance of Japan into World War II on the side of Germany and Italy, and the entrance of the United States on the Allied side.
This year December 7th is going to mean a lot different to the Monteith family because recently we were there and took the USS Arizona Memorial tour. How we were touched beyond words as we stood over the watery graves of the many who gave their lives for our freedom. How pensive we were on the boat ride back. Unable to talk and our deep emotion in check, we were reflecting on all those lives taken, all the families that never received their children back again, the lives cut off so young and that never experienced the opportunities in life that you and I can take so for granted.
There is a price for freedom. These Sailors and Marines paid it and we are grateful to them. May we never forget. And may we never forget what Jesus did for us on the cross in purchasing our freedom at His expense as the Lamb of God. He saw in us a pearl of great price and redeemed us by His blood. Now may we see Jesus as our pearl of great price and give up our lives to follow Him forever!
Louie
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