Today--the 4th of July--is a national day of celebration in remembrance of the thirteen colonies that declared their independence from Great Britain, in 1776. John Adams wrote this to his wife Abigail: "The second day of July, 1776, will be the most memorable epoch in the history of America. I am apt to believe that it will be celebrated by succeeding generations as the great anniversary festival. It ought to 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 the other, from this time forward forever more". The date July 4, 1776, is the date of The Declaration of Independence & was chosen as the day of celebration that John Adams described. (On July 2nd, the Second Continental approved the resolution of independence). (The above quotation & info came from Wikipedia.)
The celebration of Independence Day today includes all the things mentioned by John Adams with perhaps the exception of "solemn acts of devotion to Almighty God". I am in my 60's and in my lifetime I do not remember ever attending a church service or being involved in an assembly with the purpose of honoring God on the 4th of July. Thankfully, I have heard prayers prayed in family & community gatherings on this day, thanking God for the blessings of freedom that He has provided for our nation. (I am not bypassing our daily scripture readings--just leading into them.)
In Psalm 79:6, we read this: "Pour out Your wrath on the nations that do not know You, and on the kingdoms that do not call on Your name". During his campaign, in June 2006, our current president made this statement: "Whatever we once were, we are no longer a Christian nation – at least, not just. We are also a Jewish nation, a Muslim nation, a Buddhist nation, and a Hindu nation, and a nation of nonbelievers". This is the reality of the time we live in today. We are seeing prayer in Jesus' name (which has been done since we became a nation) openly challenged with threats of lawsuits if it doesn't stop. In verse 10, the Psalmist asks God for "the avenging of the blood of Your servants which has been shed". In Acts, we have been reading where the apostles were beaten and imprisoned. Today we read that James the brother of John was executed by Herod and Peter was imprisoned. (We are no better than they and all is not said and done.) As Americans, we are seeing more and more attempts to restrict constitutional based freedoms. A shadow of darkness is becoming more visible over America.
We have taken the freedom we have enjoyed in our country for granted. We cannot believe where the path we have chosen as a nation is taking us, yet are we doing anything about it, are we repenting and turning in a different direction? In 2nd Chronicles 7:14, God is not secretive about the solution for a nation laden with sin and the resulting devastation. "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".
On a personal level, am I doing what is pure and right? Proverbs 20:11, reminds us that "even a child is known by his deeds". Verse 12, says God has given us ears to hear and eyes to see. It's when deceit enters the equation that right and wrong become muddled. Reading the Bible keeps truth at the forefront of our minds and makes us "wiser than our teachers" (Psalm 119:99). Deception is deplorable to God. "Diverse weights and measures, they are both alike, an abomination to the Lord" (Proverbs 20:10). We live in a nation of deceitful practices and encounter lies at every turn. However, as followers of Christ we are not to take part in the sins around us. And, unless we follow the instructions God has given us in 2 Chronicles 7:14, how can we pray Psalm 79:8, "Oh, do not remember former iniquities against us! Let Your tender mercies come speedily to meet us, for we have been brought very low"? Without repenting of our national sins, how can we ask God to "bless America" in the state we are in?
It seems ironic that as we celebrate "independence" we look around and see and hear people who are in bondage to substances, activities, and lifestyles that destroy their bodies, their respect, and in too many cases their very lives. As the song says, we need to "run to the darkness"--by our example, our love and concern, and especially by our prayers for those in spiritual darkness. Oh, that the "illuminations" that are visible in America, would not only be fireworks, but the lights of the truly liberated followers of Christ! Happy 4th of July--take your candle, go light your world!
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