07/04/2024
Today is the 4th of July and I would like to take this opportunity to share with you a few thoughts regarding nations in general and ours specifically. Today we are celebrating the day our nation was established. Yet, in the lives of men, nations come (as ours did on this day in 1776) and nations go (as the rule of England over us also did on that day) so let's do more than just pray for the future of our country, let's pray for the souls of the men and women who are currently involved in governing us, and all those who have done so in the past. When this United States dissolves, at the return of the Lord Jesus, the souls of the men and women who are governing us, and those who have done so through the years, will rise, and be judged.
“And as it is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment:”
Hebrews 9:27 KJV
As surely as we are appointed to die, all of our presidents will stand before God... from George Washington to Joe Biden, all will be judged. Our Supreme Court justices from John Jay to Ketanji Brown Jackson will all be judged, and every senator and representative who has ever served will be judged... None can escape it... None receive special dispensation.
“...For unto whomsoever much is given, of him shall be much required: and to whom men have committed much, of him they will ask the more.”
Luke 12:48 KJV
So today as we prepare to celebrate the independence of our country and the very beginnings of our way of government, let's remember all those whose souls will be judged for their part in ruling this nation. Let's pray that God finds them blameless through the blood of His son Jesus, but that if they are lacking in their faith that God will have mercy on their souls, and pour His grace out upon them.
Let's also remember in prayer the citizens who have stepped forward to defend us through the years. Most were not great men and women... Just patriots; patriots who placed their friends, families, and a way of life, before their own safety, and often... their own lives.
“Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends.”
John 15:13 KJV
Let's remember the peacemakers who our nation has sent forth to avert war and strife, so that peace might be protected and insured in the world.
“Blessed are the peacemakers: for they shall be called the children of God.”
Matthew 5:9 KJV
Let's remember the righteous causes that we as a people have deemed worthy of our citizen’s blood, sweat, and tears. Causes such as feeding the world's hungry, clothing her naked, healing her sick, dying for the world’s freedom, taking in her huddled masses, and freeing the unjustly imprisoned.
“For I was an hungred, and ye gave me meat: I was thirsty, and ye gave me drink: I was a stranger, and ye took me in: Naked, and ye clothed me: I was sick, and ye visited me: I was in prison, and ye came unto me.”
Matthew 25:35-36 KJV
Today we celebrate the declaration of our country's independence, and the birth of a great experiment in self-rule. Today the world should celebrate with us, and pray that our faith is rekindled, because in as much as we have succeeded in the past and reached out our hand to them, that hand might well have been a fist if it had not previously been folded in prayer to God.
Let's pray this morning for our country, our causes, our beneficiaries, and our righteousness as a nation. Let's pray for God's patience, guidance, and forgiveness, as we strive to continuously define ourselves and resurrect the faith that has made us great thus far. And, let's pray for the souls of our leaders, defenders, and peacemakers, that they will serve this country, holding it second only to God, and at the sacrifice of their own self-interest.
Today as we offer thanks, and make merry in celebration of this country’s founding, may God Bless each of us, and may God Bless America.
Prayer:
Father, thank you for the United States of America, and for each of its citizens who believe in you, your Son Jesus Christ, and who carry forth the banner of your will into the world. Thank you Lord for the men and women that you have placed in office to lead us in this great endeavor, and deal with each of their hearts, minds, and souls, as you speak to them regarding our governance. Thank you Father for the mercy and grace you pour out upon us at home, and for the mercy and grace you have also taught us to show other nations, peoples, and individuals as we love them… even those who are our enemies. Help us Lord God to take your Holy Word into the far reaches of the world, and demonstrate the power of the gospel of Jesus Christ each time we walk out into these nations, where we have dealings with them, and their individual inhabitants. Help us Father to love those different from us, but to never forget whose children we are, and to not be drawn away from you and Jesus Christ by the influence of those who worship other gods, or serve Satan in the world. Help us to remain fixed in our faith, and righteous in our ways, as we bring the understanding of who you are, and the good news of your Son Jesus, to all who will listen, and by our deeds to the world that lives beyond our borders. Keep us fearful Mighty Lord when we look at our nation and see any wavering, or fading in our trust and obedience to you. We fear even now, and every day we ask that your Holy Spirit lead us to pray for one another, and this American nation you have established. We ask that we be chosen just as you chose Israel in days long ago, but that we not be allowed to lose our way, not be disciplined time and again for losing faith in you, but that we remain obedient to you, and within your will. Today Father we thank you for this country, the faithful among its leaders, and the portion of your Church which inhabits this land. We praise you for keeping your hand upon us Abba, and ask that you drive out the demons, and the minions of Satan, who are in the world. Drive them from our borders never to return. Renew our faith in you, and make us righteous for all the world to see… make us a refuge for the faithful, and a strong tower against the spiritual war that rages about us. Forgive us Lord for every transgression, and for each of your tenets we might have conceded to the enemy. Let each man, woman, and child be reestablished in the fullness of their faith in you, and made worthy of spending eternity in your presence. Let this country, the United States of America, return to you, stand with you, and be bathed in righteousness always. Let us, and the citizens of every other country, seek you, and pray that we might each be chosen as Israel was first chosen… to be a treasured possession to you.
“For you are a people holy to the Lord your God. The Lord your God has chosen you to be a people for his treasured possession, out of all the peoples who are on the face of the earth.”
Deuteronomy 7:6 ESV
Hallelujah! Hallelujah! Hallelujah! Great is our Father God, and His Son Jesus.
Let us give God all the glory due to Him now, and praise and worship both Father and Son forevermore! Let us pray that He blesses our country, and leads it always towards Him.
Amen!
Rich Forbes