Happy Birthday, America
"The land of the free, and the home of the brave." At least that's how the "Star-Spangled Banner" describes these United States. Whether that is still true in either instance is very much in question.
For many of the freedoms upon which this nation was founded have been slowly eroding, especially those involving our public faith in God. Many of us have allowed voices in our culture to convince us that the "separation of church and state" denies any matters of faith in the public arena. We have given up our freedom to be "Christian," and the world we live in suffers dearly for it.
Which brings us to Independence Day, 2011. As our nation prepares to celebrate her 235th birthday on Monday, we would all do well to be reminded of the godly heritage on which this nation was founded. It is a heritage that is being increasingly imperiled by those who wish to purge our Christian ancestry from contemporary culture.
We need look no further than our first president, George Washington, to understand the roots of godly acknowledgment by our forefathers. In September, 1779, the House of Representatives, after passing a resolution calling for a day of national prayer and thanksgiving, received President Washington's response:
It is the duty of all nations to acknowledge the providence of Almighty God, to obey His will, to be grateful for His benefits and humbly to implore His protection and favor....That great and glorious Being who is the beneficent author of all the good that was, that is, or that ever will be, that we may then unite in rendering unto Him our sincere and humble thanks for His kind care and protection of the people...
You have to wonder if certain segments of our society wouldn't try to run the "Father of our Country" out of town on a rail for such comments today. Even so, as hard as they may try to remove God from our national heritage, they cannot. History will not allow it, and we mustn't allow it.
As we celebrate America's birthday with food, and family, and fireworks, let us not take lightly the godly heritage which has been passed down to us. And let us recommit ourselves to being distinctly Christian in our citizenship, for that is what our nation needs most.
Happy Birthday, America. And happy Independence Day to all of you, free and brave. Have a safe and blessed holiday weekend. I do hope to see you on Sunday.
--Pastor Ken
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