The psalmist invites us to enter the LORD’s presence in thankfulness and praise. We have the opportunity to do this by joining in the fellowship of worship every Sunday at church, something we are able to do openly and without fear of interference from our government.
In the United States, it is easy to take for granted the freedom we have to freely practice our faith. In many parts of the world, our brothers and sisters in the faith are faced with opposition from the government. Recently, the current administration in India has refused to allow Christian missionaries to enter their country.
While our country is not perfect, on this Independence Day we can be thankful for the freedom we have to worship the Lord publicly and to share the Gospel with all freely. We can also pray for those who dwell in parts of the world that instead oppress believers, that despite opposition from the government, even there followers of Jesus may “give thanks to Him and praise His name.”
Oh, enter His gates with thanksgiving and praise;
Glory be to God!
To bless Him and thank Him our voices we will raise;
Sing praise unto God out of Zion!
(The Lutheran Hymnal, 44:3) |
