Intro: Today, many citizens in the United States will celebrate the 4th of July—Independence Day. Approximately two hundred and forty-seven years ago the Declaration of Independence was adopted and signed by the Second Continental Congress. Today, all over the country, there will be celebratory parades, cookouts, family gatherings, and awe-inspiring fireworks. For the patriot, today is a day of celebrating freedom and to remember the preamble to our Declaration: We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness.
While in Boston, during a recent vacation with dear friends, we walked the Freedom Trail. I was inspired once again by the history of our country, as well as the patriotism and courage demonstrated by many of our founding fathers and leaders. For example, we visited the Granary Burying Ground where we honored the gravesites of three signers of the Declaration of Independence: Samuel Adams, John Hancock, and Robert Treat Paine. Our founding fathers sought to secure freedom from English rule and create a government that would honor the God-given freedom of those they governed.
In our passage today from the Psalter, we continue to recognize our unalienable rights that must be protected by our allegiance to our Creator. The Lord rules over his creation and every nation who acknowledges his right to influence governance and order will experience his life, love, wisdom, and power. I praise God for the measure of freedom we have in this country; a freedom many in other parts of the world lack. I praise God for our military, law enforcement, and border security who maintain our freedom and safety. However, I encourage us to pray more fervently for our nation’s leaders, because they have failed to acknowledge to “We the People” that every right of life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness is from the Creator and Giver and not the government. Please take time, today, to praise and pray…
Psalm 33:8-18 NLT
8
Let the whole world fear the Lord, and let everyone stand in awe of him.
9
For when he spoke, the world began! It appeared at his command.
10
The Lord frustrates the plans of the nations and thwarts all their schemes.
11
But the Lord’s plans stand firm forever; his intentions can never be shaken.
12
What joy for the nation whose God is the Lord, whose people he has chosen as his inheritance.
13
The Lord looks down from heaven and sees the whole human race.
14
From his throne he observes all who live on the earth.
15
He made their hearts, so he understands everything they do.
16
The best-equipped army cannot save a king, nor is great strength enough to save a warrior.
17
Don’t count on your warhorse to give you victory— for all its strength, it cannot save you.
18
But the Lord watches over those who fear him, those who rely on his unfailing love.
Prayer: Lord, thank you for life, liberty, and the ability to pursue the happiness that is found only in you. We praise you for our freedom to worship and serve you and one another. We pray for our country to bow to your authority and to point the people toward you as the true Giver of our rights. May our leaders turn from an unholy arrogance to honor you and appreciate those who protect the freedom we have been given. In Jesus’ name. Amen.