Happy Independence Day!

It was July 2, 1776 and the Continental Congress had just voted for independence.  Two days later, representatives from the 13 colonies approved of the Declaration of Independence that was written by Thomas Jefferson.  246 years later and here we are.  United States of America.  Most days it doesn't feel like we're very united.  In fact, divided seems like a more appropriate word to describe us.  Seeds of discord have been sown and the harvest appears ripe and plentiful...

However, don't count us out yet.  I still believe America is a great nation.  We were founded on great principles by great men with an ambitious vision and goals.  God has used our nation as a force of good in the world.  We are not perfect.  We have our warts and battle scars our sins and follies.  Over the years we've made mistakes, committed sins, and heck, we've even fought against our own fellow citizens in a bloody war.

Division.  It's nothing new.  Israel was once divided into the northern kingdom and the southern kingdom.  This morning in Bible Study we studied about King Asa in the book of 1 Kings.  King Asa did not have a good role model to follow.  His daddy didn't serve the Lord.  His grandpa didn't serve the Lord.  King Asa, however, made a stand.  He was desirous of turning the nation back to the one true living God.  He repented.  He removed perversion from the temple and idolatry from the land.  The Bible said that his heart was "wholehearted" in following God.  People's hearts turned back to God.

Am I saying there's hope?  America has stumbled, but it is not too late for God to revive us again, if that is His will for us!  The Bible calls us to pray for our leaders.  We must pray that our leaders, as King Asa did, reverse course, and turn us back to God.  We may not agree with their decisions or policies.  We may find it hard to pray for those we adamantly disagree with, but we must.  Our nation can heal if we turn back to God.  I love my country.  I am proud to be an American, and I'll proudly fly Old Glory.

Happy Independence Day.  May God Bless America.