Happy Birthday America

Happy Birthday America!

 Good Morning:

 

"Blessed is the nation whose God is the Lord. . . . May your unfailing love rest upon us, O Lord, even as we put our hope in you" (Psalm 33:12, 22 NIV).

 

Let's remember the real meaning of Independence Day, July 4, as we celebrate the 236th birthday of our beloved United States of America.

 

Primarily the work of Thomas Jefferson, the Declaration of Independence was America's proclamation to the world "that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights."  And it held that the purpose of government is to "secure these rights," not to  determine what rights the people can enjoy.

 

"What is revolutionary about the Declaration of Independence is not that a particular group of Americans declared their independence under particular circumstances, but that they did so by appealing to -- and promising to base their particular government on -- a universal standard of justice."  -- Matthew Spalding

 

The Fourth of July is a great opportunity to renew our dedication to the principles of liberty and equality enshrined in what Thomas Jefferson called "the declaratory charter of rights."

 

Let's remember to make God our LORD and put our hope and trust in Him -- that we may continue to receive God's blessings as a nation worthy of His favor and protection.  Hear the last verse of "My Country, Tis of Thee:"

 

Our fathers' God, to Thee, Author of liberty, To Thee we sing:

Long may our land be bright With Freedom's holy light;

Protect us by Thy might, Great God, our King!

 

Dotse and I wish you and your family a safe and enjoyable Holiday as we celebrate together the wonderful freedoms we enjoy.  The next devotional will be on Friday, July 6th.

 

Love, Jerry & Dotse