Go Fourth

"The heavens declare the glory of God; the skies proclaim the work of his hands."
Psalm 19:1


Happy Fourth of July.

It’s easy for Americans to take the holiday, the freedom it celebrates and nearly all we have for granted. Is for me, anyway. You can get spoiled living here, in the land of the free, the home of the brave.

Even though days like the Fourth remind us of our God-fearing founding, the freedoms and opportunities of America are so great that we often dismiss them as rights, not privileges.

But the old Baptist minister Charles Spurgeon reminds us that "the Lord would have us active in obtaining grace." By singing His praises. By giving. Assembling ourselves together. Praying. Extending His grace to a world that needs Him.

Look to the spacious skies today. Enjoy the fireworks. Amazing they are -- but that’s the best we can do. Artificial. God is the real thing.

So look past the fireworks to the stars He holds in his hands. To the clouds. To the moon and sun. To the skies and wind and (hopefully one day soon) the rain, the showers of blessing.

Every galaxy, created just by speaking the Word.

Look at the world and our neighbors. At your nation. He has created it all yet can run the universe with his feet propped up. This is the mighty God you serve.

Thank him. Praise him. On our knees this weekend, we should glorify him for the freedom He allows, commit to one another to defend the freedom He provides, and spread the word of the eternal freedom only He can give.