God bless America!

What a joy this week to celebrate our independence and the wonderful freedoms afforded by the Constitution of the United States of America! John Adams, our second president and a signer of the Declaration of Independence, envisioned a great time of celebration each year of these freedoms.

“I am apt to believe that it will be celebrated, by succeeding Generations, as the great anniversary Festival It ought to be commemorated, as the Day of Deliverance by solemn Acts of Devotion to God Almighty. It ought to be solemnized With Pomp and Parade, with Shews, Games, Sports, Guns, Bells, Bonfires and illuminations from one End f this Continent to the other from this Time forward forever more.” (I have adopted his spelling and capitalization).

We should celebrate our independence, and we should hold it dear. While we can enjoy parades and shoot fireworks (illuminations), we can do much more than that.

We can pray for America. We can pray for Godly leaders and the blessings of Almighty God. We can pray for wisdom and guidance from our Lord Himself. We can seek leaders who will put God’s way first.

We can seek righteousness and justice. Justice and righteousness please God. Through His servants the prophets, God called for righteousness to characterize the people of Israel. God desires that our righteousness would flow like mighty streams (Amos 5:24). We know that righteousness exalts a nation (Proverbs 14:34).

We can seek every means possible to make Christ known. Nothing will change America for the good like sharing Him with our neighbors, family, and friends. My greatest changes in life come when I am closely attuned to Christ.

May God bless America!