Blessed is the nation whose God is the Lord… Psalm 33:12
It’s midyear! It’s 4th of July, that much anticipated holiday with fun in the sun, family and friends, flaming bar-b-ques, games, parades and pool parties. The grand finale glitters the skies with fireworks and a din of noise, striking terror in pets and small children.
Let’s pause here for that moment we ask ourselves, “Oh yeah, what are we actually celebrating today?” We observe the birth of our nation, founded on principles of justice and liberty. Flawed at the beginning and still flawed today, we strive to transcend our shortcomings, learn from our failures, and press on toward a bright future for all. We pray for God’s mercy when our social structures fail to be excellent and ask His wisdom as we strive to build a more perfect union.
One American president voiced the core of our highest aspirations in his Fourth of July speech on the 150th anniversary of our nation:
“If all men are created equal, that is final. If they are endowed with inalienable rights, that is final. If governments derive their just powers from the consent of the governed, that is final. No advance, no progress can be made beyond these propositions. If anyone wishes to deny their truth or their soundness, the only direction in which he can proceed historically is not forward, but backward toward the time when there was no equality, no rights of the individual, no rule of the people.” *
Christians remember that freedom’s purest expression is rooted in Jesus, whose sacrificial death freed us from sin’s penalty…the debt that every one of us owes to God. While Independence Day celebrates America’s physical and spiritual freedoms, we acknowledge that a relationship with Jesus surpasses all earthly liberties. Jesus Himself said in John 8:36, "So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed." Scripture assures us that the freedom Jesus offers is eternal and far exceeds earth’s limitations. Praise God that on this day, and every day, He is Lord. God, bless the USA!
PRAYER: Never take your word of truth from my mouth, for I have put my hope in your laws. I will always obey your law, forever and ever. I will walk about in freedom, for I have sought out your precepts. I will speak of your statutes before kings and will not be put to shame, for I delight in your commands because I love them. I reach out for your commands, which I love, that I may meditate on your decrees. – Psalm 119:43-48
*Calvin Coolidge