Independence Day
Tomorrow America celebrates the 4th of July, Independence Day, and a holiday that some, mostly on the left, would rather forget. Some of these people have said that only Republicans celebrate the 4th of July. I doubt that as truth for all democrats, but the this once unheard of sentiment spreads like yeast in dough. I am afraid that the country my brothers, sister, and I knew as children is vanishing, and we wonder if there will a free democracy left for our grandchildren.
Independence Day is uniquely American. John Adams, one of our Founding Fathers, knew the significance in the signing of the Declaration of Independence when he wrote to his wife Abigail, he said that the day should be "...commemorated as the Day of Deliverance by solemn acts of devotion to God Almighty. It ought to be solemnized with pomp and parade, with shows, games, sports, guns, bells, bonfires , and illuminations from one end of this continent to he other from this time forward forever more." When I was young girl, it was celebrated that way, but over time, we have shut God. People still gather for fun, food, and fireworks. Small towns still have parades and patriotism, but bigger cities are forgetting both parades and patriotism. It is a sad commentary to hear of the Harvard study that says Republicans celebrate the 4th of July more intensively, because our forefathers fought to make our country free for all Americans not for just one political group. So, what can be done?
Today, in our church service our pastor preached his message, "The Prayer of a Christian Patriot", and he took his message from Daniel chapter nine. Daniel loved his nation, but he loved his God more, and Daniel knew that the remedy for oppression and tyranny rested in the hands of God. First Daniel gives praise to God, Daniel 9.4, and then Daniel acknowledges the sins of the country. Daniel 9.15,16. Our country, as wonderful as it is, has sins we have committed as a nation, and we need to repent collectively and personally. Then Daniel asks for the Lord's blessing. Daniel 9.17-19. We need stronger faith to be better witnesses to our neighbors. So many of us can talk to our neighbors about everything but the Lord. Pastor asked us if we prayed for those in authority over us? Do we pray for our leaders? Our pastor reminded us that Elijah was an ordinary man who prayed to the Lord and it didn't rain for 3 years. Moses was an ordinary man that the Lord used to bring the children of Israel to their own land. Daniel was an ordinary man whom the Lord used. Paul was an ordinary man that witnessed before kings. We are ordinary men and women that the Lord can use to impact those around us. He asked this question, "Do we put more confidence in the leader of our country is than in God?"
Tomorrow on this Independence Day, I want to pray for our nation as Daniel prayed. I want to turn my heart toward the Lord, and pray that He use me as salt and light. American needs salt and light. It begins with me. Lord help me to be all you want me to be.
Independence Day is uniquely American. John Adams, one of our Founding Fathers, knew the significance in the signing of the Declaration of Independence when he wrote to his wife Abigail, he said that the day should be "...commemorated as the Day of Deliverance by solemn acts of devotion to God Almighty. It ought to be solemnized with pomp and parade, with shows, games, sports, guns, bells, bonfires , and illuminations from one end of this continent to he other from this time forward forever more." When I was young girl, it was celebrated that way, but over time, we have shut God. People still gather for fun, food, and fireworks. Small towns still have parades and patriotism, but bigger cities are forgetting both parades and patriotism. It is a sad commentary to hear of the Harvard study that says Republicans celebrate the 4th of July more intensively, because our forefathers fought to make our country free for all Americans not for just one political group. So, what can be done?
Today, in our church service our pastor preached his message, "The Prayer of a Christian Patriot", and he took his message from Daniel chapter nine. Daniel loved his nation, but he loved his God more, and Daniel knew that the remedy for oppression and tyranny rested in the hands of God. First Daniel gives praise to God, Daniel 9.4, and then Daniel acknowledges the sins of the country. Daniel 9.15,16. Our country, as wonderful as it is, has sins we have committed as a nation, and we need to repent collectively and personally. Then Daniel asks for the Lord's blessing. Daniel 9.17-19. We need stronger faith to be better witnesses to our neighbors. So many of us can talk to our neighbors about everything but the Lord. Pastor asked us if we prayed for those in authority over us? Do we pray for our leaders? Our pastor reminded us that Elijah was an ordinary man who prayed to the Lord and it didn't rain for 3 years. Moses was an ordinary man that the Lord used to bring the children of Israel to their own land. Daniel was an ordinary man whom the Lord used. Paul was an ordinary man that witnessed before kings. We are ordinary men and women that the Lord can use to impact those around us. He asked this question, "Do we put more confidence in the leader of our country is than in God?"
Tomorrow on this Independence Day, I want to pray for our nation as Daniel prayed. I want to turn my heart toward the Lord, and pray that He use me as salt and light. American needs salt and light. It begins with me. Lord help me to be all you want me to be.
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