GREETINGS FROM THE PHILIPPINESs
I am writing this month's input from the Philippines. I am here as a part of Operation Cabanatuan Ranger 2025 to help remember and commemorate the Great Raid. This was 6th Ranger Battalion's raid on the POW Camp at Cabanatuan in January 1945 (80 years ago) that saved 516 POWs--making it the largest, and most successful, POW Recovery mission in US history.
Remembering is important for our shared Ranger History. Remembering is also an important part of our faith. The concept of remembrance holds a significant place within the Bible and serves as a vital component of faith and obedience to God. Throughout Scripture, the act of remembering is not merely a mental exercise but a spiritual discipline that reinforces a believer's relationship with God, His commandments, and His mighty works.
In the Old Testament, remembrance is often linked to the covenant relationship between God and His people. The Israelites were repeatedly instructed to remember God's deeds and His laws. In Deuteronomy 6:12, Moses warns the Israelites, "Be careful that you do not forget the LORD, who brought you out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of slavery." This call to remembrance is a safeguard against spiritual amnesia.
Remembrance is also embedded in the worship practices and rituals of Israel. The use of memorial stones, as seen in Joshua 4:7, where stones were set up to commemorate the crossing of the Jordan River, serves as a tangible reminder of God's miraculous intervention. These physical markers were intended to provoke questions and storytelling, ensuring that future generations would know and remember the works of the LORD.
In the New Testament, the theme of remembrance is carried forward, particularly in the context of the life and teachings of Jesus Christ. The Lord's Supper, instituted by Jesus, is a central act of remembrance for Christians. In 1 Corinthians 11:24-25, Paul recounts Jesus' words: "This is My body, which is for you; do this in remembrance of Me... This cup is the new covenant in My blood; do this, as often as you drink it, in remembrance of Me." So, every time we observe the Lord's Supper, Scripture explains we proclaim the Lord's death until He comes, which serves as a continual reminder of Christ's sacrificial death and the new covenant established through His blood.
In summary, the importance of remembrance in the Bible is multifaceted. It serves as a means of preserving faith, fostering obedience, and ensuring the transmission of God's mighty acts and commandments to future generations. Through remembrance, believers are continually drawn back to the foundational truths of their faith, enabling them to live in accordance with God's will.
Look for updates on the commemoration of 6th Ranger Battalion Operations in the Philippines on both Three Rangers Foundation and Legends of the 75th social media. Rangers Lead the Way!
Dan Knight