Distance from an event often blurs its significance. Thus it is with this date in the history of our great country. July 4th in today’s language usually means a picnic with family, fireworks, and a day off the routine job. Yet it is a date laden with significance for all that America stands for.
“On July 4, 1776, the Second Continental Congress unanimously adopted the Declaration of Independence. The Constitution provides the legal and governmental framework for the United States, however, the Declaration, with its eloquent assertion ‘all Men are created equal,’ is equally beloved by the American people” (ask.com quote).
The precious blood of the founding fathers was shed to begin the process of giving “life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness” to each who calls himself or herself an American. Most citizens of this great country give little thought to this tremendous sacrifice as we go about our daily activities. But to others it was a life changing vocation.
Living in another country for a number of years has given me a slightly different perspective on what we have here in the United States of America. We are a great nation yet we have lost sight of who truly made us great. The further we drift from the moorings of godly principles that were the underpinnings of that greatness, the more vulnerable we are becoming. Our freedom has lulled us into thinking that anything and everything is allowable as an expression of ones societal preferences or the expression of those preferences. When in reality our forefathers understood that without the direction of Almighty God, we as a nation would be doomed to suffer the fait of all the other nations in history who for whatever reason spurned Him.
God has blessed us in innumerable ways. But, as someone once said, “with great blessing comes great responsibility.” How can we respond correctly to the blessing that God has bestowed? By realizing our personal dependence on the God of our fathers. By realizing that we are only truly free as we serve Him. And as we seek to do His will each day of our lives.
The writer of 2 Chronicles recorded God’s instructions as follows, “If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land” (7:14).
Our nation is headed for judgment but we can delay that coming day as we humbly turn from our sinful ways and seek His gracious face in prayer. We can offer ourselves as living sacrifices by sharing the Gospel message with those who cross our paths daily. We can offer that living water Jesus talked about which quenches parched souls and gives new and eternal life. And it starts with me! It is my choice. Like Joshua I must say, “… choose you this day whom ye will serve; whether the gods which your fathers served that were on the other side of the flood, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land ye dwell: but as for me and my house, we will serve the LORD.” Won’t you join me!
“On July 4, 1776, the Second Continental Congress unanimously adopted the Declaration of Independence. The Constitution provides the legal and governmental framework for the United States, however, the Declaration, with its eloquent assertion ‘all Men are created equal,’ is equally beloved by the American people” (ask.com quote).
The precious blood of the founding fathers was shed to begin the process of giving “life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness” to each who calls himself or herself an American. Most citizens of this great country give little thought to this tremendous sacrifice as we go about our daily activities. But to others it was a life changing vocation.
Living in another country for a number of years has given me a slightly different perspective on what we have here in the United States of America. We are a great nation yet we have lost sight of who truly made us great. The further we drift from the moorings of godly principles that were the underpinnings of that greatness, the more vulnerable we are becoming. Our freedom has lulled us into thinking that anything and everything is allowable as an expression of ones societal preferences or the expression of those preferences. When in reality our forefathers understood that without the direction of Almighty God, we as a nation would be doomed to suffer the fait of all the other nations in history who for whatever reason spurned Him.
God has blessed us in innumerable ways. But, as someone once said, “with great blessing comes great responsibility.” How can we respond correctly to the blessing that God has bestowed? By realizing our personal dependence on the God of our fathers. By realizing that we are only truly free as we serve Him. And as we seek to do His will each day of our lives.
The writer of 2 Chronicles recorded God’s instructions as follows, “If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land” (7:14).
Our nation is headed for judgment but we can delay that coming day as we humbly turn from our sinful ways and seek His gracious face in prayer. We can offer ourselves as living sacrifices by sharing the Gospel message with those who cross our paths daily. We can offer that living water Jesus talked about which quenches parched souls and gives new and eternal life. And it starts with me! It is my choice. Like Joshua I must say, “… choose you this day whom ye will serve; whether the gods which your fathers served that were on the other side of the flood, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land ye dwell: but as for me and my house, we will serve the LORD.” Won’t you join me!
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