Wednesday, July 4, 2018
Psalm 107:1 (ESV) Oh give thanks to the Lord, for he is good, for his steadfast love endures forever!
GIVE THANKS TO GOD ON THE FOURTH OF JULY
At Thanksgiving we make a point to remember that it is God who works through rain and sunshine, planting and harvest, labor and industry to give us life's bodily necessities. But life is more than food and clothing and shelter-- and there are blessings that we ought to treasure more highly than creature comforts. On the Fourth of July we remember some of those blessings-- the ones we call "freedoms". Let us also remember that these too come to us from the hand of our Savior-God, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.
Down through the years God has used our nation's leaders, laws, resources and institutions to provide and preserve to us freedom of assembly, freedom of worship, freedom of speech and the rights secured to us by our nation’s constitution.
Oh give thanks to the Lord, for he is good!
It is important for each of us that we not forget how our country came to be an independent nation. It is even more important that we individually remember how dependent we are upon God's provision, protection and blessing for those liberties we use and enjoy. Take the time TODAY to turn to the Lord with a thankful heart . . . and pray also for the willingness to share in the duties and responsibilities that belong to you as a citizen of the United States of America.
Finally, make a point to especially use your freedom of speech and of worship to share with others the freedom from sin's consequences and death's dominion that belong to all those who trust in Jesus and His redeeming work on behalf of us sinners.
As we sing in the words of the man who penned our National Anthem:
Earth! Hear thy Maker's voice, the great Redeemer own,
Believe, obey, rejoice, and worship Him alone;
Cast down thy pride, thy sin deplore, and bow before The Crucified.
And when in power He comes, O may our native land,
From all its rending tombs, send forth a glorious band;
A countless throng ever to sing to heaven's high King Salvation's song.
(Francis Scott Key, The Lutheran Hymnal, 575:4-5)
