Tonight, our little church will celebrate our country’s Independence Day with prayer for our nation.  Tragically, America is on the brink of falling, unless she will fall to her knees and repent before God Almighty.

As I was practicing this hymn to sing this evening, I noticed the year the lyrics* were penned by Daniel Crane Roberts: 1876!  Was it written to celebrate this country’s founding one hunderd years earlier?  Yes!  (I looked up the history of the song in my book on hymns. It had been written for the 100th year anniversary of the Declaration of Independence.  Later the lyrics were set to its current music for the Constitution’s Centennial celebration by George William Warren.)

As we look at America today, can we claim that Pastor Robert’s line “Thy Word, our law, Thy paths are chosen way” still reflects the course of this nation?  

Do we still follow “true religion”?  Sadly, many in America are enjoying the blessings of liberty, while snubbing their noses toward God and His paths.

I saw a posting today from Allstate Insurance, that July 4^th is the deadliest day for teenagers in America. Did God give us liberty to spend on drunken debauchery?

Did God give us liberty to kill babies in their mothers’ wombs?

Did God give us liberty to cheat workers from their wages?

Did God give us liberty to corrupt our youth with witchcraft and perversion?

Did God give us liberty to idolize rock stars and ignore Him?

Yes,  God gave us free will to choose.  But there are still consequences to living a life outside His laws.   You are a slave to sin and not truly free!   (Please read for more on this: Slaves: to Sin or Righteousness?  by Rev. Toriano Mayo.)  

Yes, God gave us the free will to choose, but He says, “Choose life!”   Jesus Christ is Life!  

Yes, God gave us the free will to choose, but He did not give us liberty to encourage us in sin! True liberty is not a license to sin.  It is the liberty to be all who God made you to be.  He did NOT make you to be a pervert or a drunk or a thief or a murderer!  He did NOT make you to lust after the things of the flesh, but to celebrate in Him!

We are in danger of losing our liberties, because we have rejected the Holy Giver! “Where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty!” (2 Cor 3:17)  The Spirit of the Lord, the Spirit of Liberty does NOT abide in unholy places.   The Spirit of the Lord is what has distinguished this nation as a beacon of hope.   Is our Light about to be extinguished?  

Thomas Jefferson wrote:

“The God who gave us liberty… Can the liberties of a nation be thought secure when we have removed their only firm basis, a conviction … that these liberties are the gift of God?”

If the Lord tarries, will a free America survive for our grandchildren?  Please, America, return to God!  Amen!

*

God of our Fathers

Lyrics by Daniel Crane Roberts

God of our fathers, whose almighty hand


Leads forth in beauty all the starry band


Of shining worlds in splendor through the skies


Our grateful songs before Thy throne arise.

*

Thy love divine hath led us in the past,


In this free land by Thee our lot is cast,


Be Thou our Ruler, Guardian, Guide and Stay,


Thy Word our law, Thy paths our chosen way.

*

From war’s alarms, from deadly pestilence,


Be Thy strong arm our ever sure defense;


Thy true religion in our hearts increase,


Thy bounteous goodness nourish us in peace.

*

Refresh Thy people on their toilsome way,


Lead us from night to never ending day;


Fill all our lives with love and grace divine,


And glory, laud, and praise be ever Thine.