I do love history. Having heard of Eldred’s World War II Museum, I enthusiastically drove to McKean County to visit.

And I’m so glad I did.

I pictured something honorable and patriotic but small, perhaps a tiny collection of American and Nazi helmets. What I found exceeded my expectations and caused me to remember important history. My former teachers and my interest had infused me with essential WWII knowledge; however, time and the busyness of life had moved that knowledge to my mental archives. Now all that knowledge rushed back as I walked deeper into the building.

Inside this large and well-cared place was a loud and clear message: “Remember the men and women who valiantly served during World War II.” With entire rooms full of uniforms, weapons, models, and much more, I saw vivid pictures of the struggle to defeat the evils of Naziism and the Axis as the U.S. fought on two fronts. I remembered what my grandparents endured to fight evil.

As I made my way through the rooms, I remembered the great sacrifices made by our nation’s soldiers and citizens. And…I felt particularly moved as I went into the Holocaust Remembrance room, the only room in which no pictures are allowed due to the graphic nature. I wept in my heart as I remembered these terrible facts of history. I wept in my soul because a few still want Israel to be eradicated. I wondered if those who hold such views ever bothered to visit such a museum or read the overwhelming evidence. I thanked the staff on my way out for not closing this room to satisfy the misguided. We have six million reasons to remember, as six million Jews were indeed murdered.

I walked out of that museum in powerful remembrance and quiet respect with gratitude.

In Nehemiah 8, we also see a powerful remembering. As Ezra read from the Book of the Law, the Jews stood for six hours, listening and letting God’s Holy Word penetrate their hearts. As Ezra and the Levites read and explained the Law, they even cried. Why? First, many Jews had been in captivity for seventy years but had come home to rebuild. Second, they may not have heard the Word of God often or at all in captivity, so hearing it touched them. Last, the Word of God penetrates the heart open to it: “For the word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and of spirit, of joints and of marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart” (Hebrews 4:12 ESV). As they heard God’s Words, many remembered God’s ways again and were deeply moved.

Just as that museum caused me to remember the sacrifices and lessons of WWII, so also the Word of God causes us to remember who God is, all he requires, and his great love for us. Because the Bible is all about Jesus, whenever we read it, we are reminded that he fulfilled the Old Testament prophecies. We remember that he came in the flesh. We remember that he lived, and we remember that he died a terrible crucifixion for our sins. But the story doesn’t end there – he miraculously rose from the dead to give forgiveness and eternal life to anyone who asks in faith (Romans 10:9-10).

Remembering WWII and our history is important, but remembering God’s Word is far more. Reading the Bible is a powerful remembrance of the most important: the One and Only God Who Loves Us.

May God bless you, our nation, and our veterans!

Pastor Russ of Westfield Methodist Church writes to encourage others to trust Jesus. E-mail: rightdirections4u@gmail.com