Happy Independence Day, Meetpastordan Readers…As we enter the week of our 245th Independence Day celebration, I hope it is a time when we all reflect on the true meaning of this day and take time to thank God and a Veteran for the privilege of living in a country that is free. As we partake of various parades, concerts, festivals, family BBQs, perhaps even a memorial service or a patriotic speech, I hope the truth of this statement, “freedom isn’t free” becomes ablaze in your heart and inspires you to embrace it as a “gift” rather than a bumper-sticker slogan.
Unfortunately, these are perilous times in which we are living, and freedom itself seems to be in jeopardy. Contributing culprits include today’s hostile political climate: a Democrat Socialist agenda that will seemingly stop at nothing to achieve its end; a culture that is characterized by anger, frustration, hatred, name-calling, finger-pointing, accusations and deception; a challenge to time honored traditions; a growing disdain for the rule of law. No wonder there is a climate of uncertainty and despair looming over our great nation; we’re not sure what to believe or who to trust anymore. Now couple that with the downward spiral of our culture’s moral and spiritual values and it’s easy to see how all of these factors can contribute to a sense of uneasiness…even hopelessness.
But the good news is…we don’t have to look at the world through that lens. Oh yes, those issues are today’s reality, but I believe if we look up for a solution rather than down at the cesspool in which we are standing, we can find hope. I’m still an optimist, so when we stand on the only truth that will never forsake us, I believe we can become energized once again as individuals and as a nation.
I love America. I believe in America. I was proud to serve my country, and I still believe that with all our faults and shortcomings, America is the greatest country the world has ever seen. It was founded on Judeo-Christian principles, and the founding fathers even bowed in prayer on April 30, 1789 at St. Paul’s Chapel to consecrate this new nation’s future to God. No other nation in modern times has been so blessed, but to whom much is given, much is expected.
I know it’s easy to look around and see the dramatic changes that define America today and ask yourself, “How did we ever get in this mess?” Truth be told…there are as many opinions and answers to that question as there are people asking the question. But let’s look at just one Biblical principle that can provide one answer on many levels.
Throughout the Bible when God’s chosen people (the Israelites) were in line with his will, he blessed them. When they were not following His will for their lives, there was calamity in many forms: famines, floods, earthquakes, pestilence, wars etc. Here are two sets of scripture that specifically address the above situation. Romans 1:25, 28, 32: “Instead of believing what they knew was the truth about God, they deliberately chose to believe lies…When they refused to acknowledge God, he abandoned them to their evil minds and let them do things that should never be done. They were fully aware of God’s death penalty for those who do these things, yet they go right ahead and do them anyway.” And concerning his covenant with a nation, we are told in Jeremiah 18: 9-10: “But if I announce that I will build up and plant a certain nation or kingdom, making it strong and great, but then the nation turns to evil and refuses to obey me, I will not bless that nation as I had said I would.”
Do you get any clue from those scriptures concerning America’s standing in terms of fulfilling God’s purpose? To me, the scripture from Jeremiah could not be clearer. The removal of prayer and the Ten Commandments from its public life would most certainly be out of line with God’s will. Add to that the 55 million aborted babies since Roe vs Wade in 1973; our acceptance of sexual immorality as the new norm; and our tolerance for lying, cheating and stealing as “just the way it is today”, and it isn’t difficult to see why God would be grieved by our disobedience. All one has to do is backtrack through the Bible and look at the history of nations that have ignored God’s Proclamation. That little excursion can give us ample reason to be concerned about the direction of our country.
But the good news can be found in 2Chronicles, 7:14: “then if my people who are called by my name will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, I will hear from heaven and will forgive their sins and heal their land.” James 2:10 also gives us reason to be hopeful: “If you bow down before the Lord and admit your dependence on him, he will lift you up and give you honor.” In my mind, our calling is clear.
1John 4:4 reminds all Christ-followers of our identity in Christ. “He (the Holy Spirit) that is in me is greater than he (satan) that is in this world. When addressing the holy people in Ephesus who were struggling with their culture, Apostle Paul clearly points out satan’s activities in Ephesians 2:2, 4: “You used to live like the rest of the world, full of sin, obeying Satan, the mighty prince of the power of the air. He is the spirit at work in the hearts of those who refuse to obey God. But God is so rich in mercy, and he loved us so very much, that even while we were dead because of our sins, he gave us life…through Jesus Christ.”
As Christ-followers we are called to carry His message of truth into the world and to be His shining light on the hill. When we call on the Holy Spirit to empower us with his wisdom, strength, courage and patience, we can fulfill that calling and resist the enemy in these evil times. His Word says He will bless our effort as we continue to stand up for the same freedom that was endowed by the Creator Himself!
Therefore, if there was ever a time for intercessory prayer, it is now. This is the time to pray for revelation and enlightenment in the minds and hearts of those who want to steer us away from the principles and traditions that made our country great!
I believe America is in a time of reprieve. The same Proclamation that has been offered to men and nations throughout the Bible is being offered to our great country now. “Repent! Turn from your sin and turn to God!” The Bible is resplendent with examples of men and nations that yielded to that calling and were blessed and restored. Unfortunately, there is also a number of examples of destruction for those who resisted that same invitation. Remember, God did bless America, and his mercy always trumps his judgement. As we are told in Luke 1:37, “Nothing is impossible with God!”
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May God bless you, and Happy July 4th, 2021
Dan Presgrave (a.k.a. Pastor Dan)
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