America has been unique from her founding. More than any other nation,
she was founded on a principle that “all men are created equal and endowed by
their Creator with unalienable rights. That among these are life, liberty and the
pursuit of happiness.” The American Eagle has been a great symbol for our
country. I’m glad they didn’t take Ben Franklin’s suggestion that the national bird
be a turkey!
Recently we have seen every word of the Declaration of Independence
attacked repeatedly. The right to life itself has been undermined by Abortion for
48 years. The teaching of evolution has denied the Creator for a hundred years.
People are now denying that we were founded on the principle of equality
(though we haven’t always lived up to it) and much progress has been made. But
equality itself has been reinterpreted to mean equality of outcome, no matter the
person’s character, talent or hard work. The right to pursue happiness has often
outweighed other rights. Several founding fathers recognized that our
government would only work if we had “religious and moral people”.
I am reminded of a great song from the Civil War which explains God’s
purpose in that terrible conflict. It is summarized by Julia Ward Howe’s lyric in the
Battle Hymn of the Republic. Lincoln and others saw the war itself as our
punishment for slavery and that is reflected in this song. I have sung this song in
school choirs (fully integrated) growing up. I have played it from high school band
to OSU’s band. I have directed it in church choirs. It still moves me.
In the beauty of the lilies Christ was born across the sea
With a glory in his bosom that transfigures you and me.
As He died to make men holy, let us die to make men free,
While God is marching on!
This speaks of the sacrifice of hundreds of thousands to end slavery and keep the
Union intact.
More recently, liberty itself has been under attack. The Constitution set up
a republic with limited powers. Today many would let the government become a
tyrant for the sake of… you name it. Any excuse will do; pandemic, natural or
human caused disasters. The answer is always more government and less
freedom.
Political correctness continues to chip away at religious freedom and
freedom of speech. The first and second amendments have been called into
question: all this for a humanistic utopia that is impossible with flawed human
beings, whether they be in government or on the streets.
Today our battle is for the republic! Let us live to keep men free from new
tyrannies. We must speak up when we can for liberty, law and freedom. May
God help us. And may God have mercy on the U.S.
Lord, there is much to celebrate this weekend. We have a wonderful heritage.
But much of that heritage is in the past and being undermined by shameless
attacks on the foundation of our nation. Only You can make us one nation
under God again. For that we need to have the fear of God restored. Man is
not the measure of all things. We are not just a democracy where anything
goes. We were founded under Your authority.
Let us see where you want us to sacrifice, like so many have in the past, for the
cause of freedom and true equality under law.
“Mine eyes have seen the glory of the coming of the Lord, He is trampling out
the vintage where the grapes of wrath are stored; he has loosed the fateful
lightning of His terrible swift sword, our God is marching on.” Lord, may your
principles and your kingdom be established in the midst of a wicked generation.
And may your truth keep marching on! May you, God, over all be praised!
In Jesus’ Name. Amen.