| Good morning everyone, Our theme for this month: “Rest, relax, renew” Our Bible verse for today: “Blessed is the nation whose God is the Lord, the people he chose for his inheritance.” Psalm 33:12 (NIV) Our thought for today: “Celebrate America; pray for America” Psalm 33:12 is about the nation of Israel. They are the nation that God chose for His inheritance. He chose the Jews to be His special called out people. As we read in Genesis 17:7 God said to Abraham, “You will be my people and I will be your God.” So, first and foremost, Psalm 32:12 is specifically about them. But in a general sense it is also true of any nation whose chooses to follow and obey God, they will be blessed – and that has certainly been true of us in the USA. At our founding, Biblical principles were intentionally woven into the fabric of our governing doctrines and documents, and the principles of what is known as the Judeo/Christian Ethic have underpinned and guided our shared national life. The many substantial ways in which America has been blessed by God over the centuries can be traced directly back to our Biblical heritage and our individual and communal commitment to it. However, if you study the history of the nation of Israel you will find that there were many times in their history when they drifted far from God and His ways, and they paid a terrible price for it. They progressively lost the blessings of God as He gave them over to their sinful ways. I believe today we see something similar happening in our land. As a society we are drifting progressively further and further from our Biblical heritage. How can God not begin to withdraw His blessings? As you celebrate the Fourth of July today, I do hope it will be a time for you to rest, relax, and renew with family and friends. Please also take time to thank God for our blessings and to celebrate this wonderful nation of ours. America truly is great among the nations of the world and we have much to celebrate. But also take some time to pray for America. We are a nation that is struggling and many of our people are drifting further and further from God and His ways. Tomorrow, I will bring you that example I promised yesterday about the best balance I’ve ever witnessed between Sabbath-worship and Sabbath rest. But today I want to close with a quote that is often attributed to Alexis de Tocqueville and which was quoted by President Dwight D. Eisenhour in his farewell speech to the nation before leaving office: “I sought for the greatness and genius of America in her commodious harbors and her ample rivers—and it was not there … in her fertile fields and boundless forests—and it was not there … in her rich mines and her vast world commerce—and it was not there … in her democratic Congress and her matchless Constitution—and it was not there. Not until I went into the churches of America and heard her pulpits flame with righteousness did I understand the secret of her genius and power. America is great because she is good, and if America ever ceases to be good, America will cease to be great.” God bless, Pastor Jim (If you like what you’re reading in these daily devotionals, and if you would like more content from Oak Hill Baptist Church, join us on Sundays at 10:00, in-person if you are nearby or, if you are geographically distant or if you just can’t make it, online at www.YouTube.com/@oakhillbaptistcrossville) |
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What an amazing quote from Tocqueville. Considering our current state of affairs it’s hard to imagine an American president saying these words. How far we have fallen! Thank you, Pastor Jim. Blessings!
Thanks for the feedback Cindy. God bless you!