Fourth of July - "The philosophical revolution that changed the concept of government!"

Devotion and Prayer – 06-22-17    by Barbara Moore

We are soon to celebrate our country’s birthday on the 4^th of July so it’s my pleasure to share some thoughts about it.  We are the only nation on the face of the earth to be founded upon a creed, the Declaration of Independence, where we acknowledged Almighty God, set forth our ideals, and proclaimed our identity.

Our beloved President Ronald Reagan stated it this way, “The day of our nation’s birth in that little hall in Philadelphia, was a day on which debate had raged for hours…To sign the Declaration of Independence was such an irretrievable act that the walls resounded with the words ‘treason, the gallows, the headman’s axe,’ and the issue remained in doubt.  (But) On that day 56 men, a little band so unique we never have seen their like since, pledged their lives, their fortunes and their sacred honor.  Some gave their lives in the war that followed, most gave their fortunes, and all preserved their honor…In recent years, however, I’ve come to think of that day as more than just the birthday of a nation.  It also commemorates the only true philosophical revolution in all history…ours was a revolution that changed the concept of government!  Let the Fourth of July always be a reminder that here in this land, for the 1^st time, it was decided that man is born with certain God-given rights; that government is only a convenience created and managed by the people, with NO powers of its’ own except those voluntarily granted to it by the people.  We sometimes forget that and we never should.”   

Let’s pray today the words of Thomas Jefferson, the primary author of our Declaration of Independence: “Almighty God, who has given us this good land for our heritage, we humbly beseech Thee that we may always prove ourselves a people mindful of Thy favor and glad to do Thy will.  Bless our land with honorable industry, sound learning, and pure manners. Save us from violence...pride…and every evil way.   Defend our liberties, and fashion into one united people the multitude brought hither out of many kindreds and tongues… In time of prosperity, fill our hearts with thankfulness, and, in the day of trouble, suffer not our trust in Thee to fail, all of which we ask through Jesus Christ our Lord.   AMEN.