As we wrap up our 238th Independence Day celebration, I hope it was a time when we all reflected on the true meaning of this day and took time to thank God and a Veteran for the privilege of living in a country that is free. As you partook 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” will become ablaze in your heart and inspired you to embrace it as a mantra rather than as 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 world news that tells us we are facing a formidable foe that hates us and our way of life; our country’s economic uncertainty; and the sense of despair that sets in when we are not sure what to believe or who to trust. Now couple that with the downward spiral of our culture’s moral values and it’s easy to see how all of these factors can contribute to a sense of uneasiness.
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.
Throughout the Bible God spoke through prophets and delivered a Proclamation to both man and nations. That Proclamation was always the same: “Repent! Turn from your sin and turn to God.” (ie. Ezekiel 18:21-23) I believe the psalmist David not only captured the heart of God in Psalm 37, but when superimposed on our present day malaise, it should give us nothing but hope for our future. It tells us not to worry about the evil we see around us, but to patiently trust the Lord. He is sovereign, and we who believe in Him will prosper and the wicked will stand in judgment for their evil ways. Let’s enjoy verses 1-11:
“Don’t worry about the wicked. Don’t evny those who do wrong. For like grass, they soon fade away. Like springtime flowers, they soon wither.
Trust in the Lord and do good. Then you will live safely in the land and prosper.
Take delight in the Lord, and he will give you your heart’s desires.
Commit everything you do to the Lord. Trust him, and he will help you.
He will make your innocence as clear as the dawn, and the justice of your cause will shine like the noonday sun.
Be still in the presence of the Lord, and wait patiently for him to act. Don’t worry about evil people who prosper or fret about their wicked schemes.
Stop your anger! Turn from your rage! Do not envy others – it only leads to harm.
For the wicked will be destroyed, but those who trust in the Lord will possess the land.
In a little while, the wicked will disappear. Though you look for them, they will be gone.
Those who are gentle and lowly will possess the land; they will live in prosperous security.
The wicked plot against the godly; they snarl at them in defiance.
But the Lord just laughs, for he sees their day of judgment coming.
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 answering the question. But let’s look at just one Biblical principle that can provide an 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. There are two sets of scripture that specifically answer the above question. 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 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.” And again 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. America was founded on prayer and Christian-Judeo principles. Therefore 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 a nation that has ignored God’s Proclamation. That little excursion can give us ample reason to be concerned about the direction of our country.
So as followers of Jesus Christ, how do we rise above our morally bankrupt culture and a government that is methodically removing our individual liberties? Lines 3-5 of Psalm 37 provide the answer. And let us not forget where our liberty originated. It was God who gave man “free will” at Creation. He could have made us perfect boys and girls, but he didn’t. And knowing full well this decision was a double edged sword, He still gave us the right to choose to love him back or reject him. In my opinion, no man or government has the authority to take away that inalienable right.
1John 4:4 reminds all Christ-followers of their 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 be his shining light in on the hill. When we call on the Holy Spirit to empower us with 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 our freedom that was endowed by the Creator himself. My hope is that we would all stand on that truth and become His shining light on the hill. Our country needs to hear His Proclamation one more time. Let’s accept that challenge and be His voice!
May God bless you, and feel free to chime in with your thoughts.
Dan Presgrave (a.k.a. Pastor Dan)
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