Sweet Land of Liberty!

The first thing I want you to do is pray. Pray every way you know how, for everyone you know. Pray especially for rulers and their governments to rule well so that we can be humbly about our business of living simply, in humble contemplation. That is the way our Savior God wants us to live. 1 Timothy 2:1-2 The Message

This week we pause to celebrate the birth of our nation which came into being two hundred and forty eight years ago. When the framers of the Constitution were gathering to begin work on the documents that would govern this new country, listen to their words: We therefore the representatives of the United States of America in general congress assembled, appealing to the Supreme judge of the world for the rectitude of our intentions…And for the support of this declaration with a firm reliance on the protection of Divine Providence…we mutally pledge our lives, our fortunes, and our sacred honor.

Later when the first Continental Congress met and were debating how the Declaration of Independence should be written, Ben Franklin got up and said, Gentlemen, if it is true that not one single petal from any flower falls to the ground without escaping God’s attention, will the distress of this nation go unheeded? Let us therefore determine to seek His face. After these words, 56 signers of the Declaration of Independence went to their knees and began to pray and seek God’s wisdom. Can you imagine what would happen if that scenario took place today in our Congress and Supreme Court of today? What if they simply asked, “Almighty God, what do YOU want for our nation?”

Our freedom, liberty, and independence came to us at a cost. These founders were committed to, not only obtaining freedom for future generations, but they were committed to Christian principles. In his farewell address, George Washington said, “Do not let anyone claim tribute of American patriotism if they ever attempt to remove religion from politics!” Patrick Henry said, “It cannot be emphasized too strongly or too often that this great nation was founded not by religionists, but by Christians; not on religion, but on the Gospel of Jesus Christ.”

Our forefathers gave us one nation, under God, with liberty and justice for all. Liberty is defined as the state of being free within society from repressive restrictions imposed by authority on one’s way of life, behavior, or political views. How did we ever take these gifts of liberty that were handed to us all these years ago and turn them into the country we see today?

The problem is we didn’t earn the liberty and freedom, but rather, It was handed to us at great cost to those who came before us. Thomas Paine said, “What we obtain too cheaply, we esteem too lightly.” Colton’s philosophical statement convicts us when it says, “Liberty is not handed down to a people; a people must raise themselves up to liberty. Liberty is a blessing that must be earned before it can be enjoyed.“

I love the story of a father who took his young daughter to see the Statue of Liberty. He taught her that the torch represents enlightenment and the path to liberty, and the book she holds represents the book of laws that America has and the importance of those laws. She listened as he read the inscription at the base of the Statue reading: Bring me your tired, your poor, your huddled masses yearning to be breathe free, the wretched refuse of your teeming shore. Send these, the homeless, tempest tossed to me. I lift my lamp beside the golden shore.

That night, the young girl seemed restless. Her Dad asked her if anything was wrong, and she replied: “Daddy, that lady must be awful tired after holding her arm up all these years. Isn’t there any way we can help her hold up that torch?” Lady Liberty needs our help holding up that torch to preserve Godly liberty and foundations for our country.

Our prayer today is for every leader, every courtroom judge, every administrator, every teacher, every parent, every child, every minister, every businessman and woman, every American citizen, and every student to help Lady Liberty keep holding up that torch!!

My country tis of Thee, sweet land of liberty of thee I sing. Land where my Father’s died, Land of the Pilgrim’s pride; From every mountainside, Let freedom ring! Samuel Frances Smith

God Bless this sweet land of liberty.