LIBERTY

“God who gave us life gave us liberty. And can the liberties of a nation be thought secure when we have removed their only firm basis, a conviction in the minds of people that these liberties are the gift of God? That they are not to be violated without His wrath? Indeed I tremble for my country when I reflect that God is just; that His justice cannot sleep forever.” 

-Thomas Jefferson, Founder and third U.S. President, 1781

MEDITATION

God is the beginning of every good thing, the One who sustains the blessings we enjoy. His love is the hope that holds the power to unite us. Division fosters the deception that God has turned His back on us—that if things don’t go the way we believe they should, God is no longer in control. There is no lie more damaging to the unity of a nation. 

King David expressed his praises to the Lord in the presence of the whole assembly when he said, “Everything in the heavens and earth is yours, O Lord…We adore You as being in control of everything. Riches and honor come from You alone, and You are the ruler of all mankind; Your hand controls power and might, and it is at Your discretion that men are made great and given strength.” Chronicles 29:11-12 TLB

Thomas Jefferson understood the gifts of God. Life and liberty are priceless among them. He saw  the security of our nation threatened by the lack of that conviction in the minds of its people as early as the eighteenth century. There is no security outside of Jesus Christ, and there is no unity apart from God’s love. We are bound by both if we are to right our way forward.

Believing our lives and liberties are gifts from God remains the firm basis on which we stand. Whatever is good and perfect comes to us from God, the Creator of all light, and He shines forever without change or shadow. James 1:17 TLB 

SCRIPTURE

Where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty. 2 Corinthians 3:17

(excerpt from God Bless America, Scriptures, Devotions, and Prayers for Our Nation)