Reflections on Independence Day 2013
Just a few days ago, we celebrated the
237th birthday of our nation.
Independence Day is always a wonderful holiday, full of family
celebrations and good food. It’s also a
time for us to reflect on the founding of our country and the current state of
the nation. I don’t need to tell
you. All is not well with the good ol’
USA. If the Scriptures are right in
asserting that “righteousness exalts a nation, but sin is a disgrace to any
people” (Proverbs 14:34), then we are on the wrong path.
The sovereign hand of God has been
very evident in the founding and preservation of our nation. From the beginning of Plymouth Colony in 1620
to the Great Awakenings that stirred and transformed the soul of our nation, we
have been given many spiritual blessings.
We need to be aware of and affirm God’s providence in our nation’s
history.
But we are not Israel. Americans are
not the chosen people of God.
Our founding documents put the power
of governance in our hands. We are a
democratic republic. In our political
system, ultimately, “we, the people” are sovereign. Of course, that truth flies in the face of
what the Bible teaches. Only God is
sovereign.
Along the way, we have been blessed
with some very wise leaders. Though his
admonitions were not specifically Christian – he did not generally invoke the name of
Jesus Christ in his public statements – the “father of our country,” George Washington warned us that we
must rely on God and that religion and virtue must be promoted among the people
or our republic will fail. During the
Civil War, “In God we trust” was added to our currency. The phrase, “under God” was added to the
pledge to the flag in the 1950’s. These
phrases have been instituted in the spirit of George Washington and our
founders and they represent critical wisdom if our nation is to flourish and
survive.
But such notions of reliance and
acknowledgment of God’s sovereignty have come increasingly under attack in our
courts. We are told that we are a
secular nation. We cannot impose our
faith and religion on others. Instead, it seems we are all forced into becoming
practical atheists, except on Sundays, if we choose. Because of the inherent fallen
nature of men, a truly secular democracy – one that will not acknowledge the
sovereignty of God - will implode under the weight of its own sin. As God is increasingly pushed to the
sidelines, that is what we are seeing in our nation today.
The psalmist writes:
Why do the nations conspire
and the peoples
plot in vain?
The kings of the earth rise up
and the rulers
band together
against the Lord
and against his anointed, saying,
“Let us break their chains
and throw off
their shackles.”
The One enthroned in heaven laughs;
the Lord scoffs at
them.
He rebukes them in his anger
and terrifies them
in his wrath, saying,
“I have installed my king
on Zion, my holy
mountain.”
you will dash them
to pieces like pottery.”
…Therefore, you kings, be wise;
be warned, you
rulers of the earth.
Serve the Lord with fear
and celebrate his
rule with trembling.
Blessed are all who take refuge in him.
Psalm
2:1-6, 10-11
Our national folly does not escape God’s notice. He has not lost control. The President is not lord. Neither is the Congress. The Supreme Court does not have the final
word. Even “We, the people” are not
lord. Only God is Lord. Though we loath it, the increasing wickedness
of our culture presents an opportunity for us.
It is in the darkness that light truly shines. We who live under the Lordship of Christ have
the opportunity to demonstrate the power of the life-changing Gospel.
Let us celebrate the many blessings of our land, but pray and
work for repentance. Recognize that it
must begin with us. But do not
despair. God is still on the throne.
Do you remember the words to the great hymn?
This is my Father’s world, I rest me
in the thought:
That though the wrong seems oft so
strong, God is the Ruler yet.
This is my Father’s world, the battle
is not done,
Jesus who died shall be satisfied and
earth and heav’n be one.
Comments
Post a Comment