“The Lord will keep you from all harm; he will watch over your life; the Lord will watch over your coming and going both now and forevermore.” Psalm 121:7-8
Independence Day…a true cause for celebration! There were hundreds of thousands of men and women who lived and died serving our country from the Revolutionary War through today so that we might enjoy being free; superheroes who didn’t wear capes. To far too many on this day it means a day off from work, BBQ and lighting fireworks. There are eighteen townhomes in my sub-division and today there are only three of us who are flying the American Flag; call me patriotic. Independence and Christmas have been steadily diluted by the “wisdom” of this country and their true meaning is sadly being shoved farther away each year. When you give thanks today before eating the BBQ please include giving thanks for the souls who made it possible for us to celebrate this day and enjoy the freedom of speech, religion, assembly and the many other freedoms we take for granted. Thank you our Heavenly Father for blessing us with this wonderful land that we call home. On this Independence Day I am going to close with the words from the hymn ‘Eternal Father, strong to save’ that were written by William Whiting in 1860.
“Eternal Father, strong to save, Whose arm hath bound the restless wave, Who biddest the mighty ocean deep its own appointed limits keep; Oh, hear us when we cry to Thee, for those in peril on the sea! O Christ! Whose voice the waters heard and hushed their raging at Thy Word, Who walked on the foaming deep, and calm amidst its rage didst sleep; Oh, hear us when we cry to Thee, for those in peril on the sea! Most Holy Spirit! Who didst brood upon the chaos dark and rude, and bid its angry tumult cease, and give, for wild confusion, peace; Oh, hear us when we cry to Thee, for those in peril on the sea! O Trinity of love and power! Our family shield in danger’s hour; from rock and tempest, fire and foe, protect us wheresoever we go; thus evermore shall rise to Thee glad hymns of praise from land and sea.”
Dear Heavenly Father, you have called your servants to ventures of which we cannot see the ending, by paths as yet untrodden, through perils unknown. Give us faith to go out with good courage, not knowing where we go but only that your hand is leading us and your love supporting us through Jesus Christ our Lord and Savior. Amen.
May God be with you…Jay