Psalm 33:12 “Blessed is the nation whose God is the LORD; and the people whom he hath chosen for his own inheritance.”

Hebrews 11:1-3 “Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen. For by it the elders obtained a good report. Through faith we understand that the worlds were framed by the word of God, so that things which are seen were made of things which do appear.”

As we come to the end of the July 4th week, it is important to look back on the source of our freedom and the core of our national strength. Eighty years ago, as world war ravaged the planet and as young Americans were deployed in heavy combat in every corner of the globe, Pastor Lynd Esch wrote these powerful thoughts about our Godly heritage while providing a stern warning if we were to ever wander from our firm foundation (from “Strength for Service”):

“One of the really great heritages of the American people is the heritage of noble ancestry. It is with a spirit of just pride that we point to their achievements in the growth and development of our democracy. They blazed a new trail in the wilderness; this was done, not only with their axes as they carved roadways across the continent from the eastern seaboard to the Pacific Ocean, but also with their freedom-loving minds. They blazed a new trail with mind and heart as they laid the firm foundation for our ‘land of the free and home of the brave.’

We must never lose sight of the fact that these men whom we honor were enabled to do great deeds because they had great faith. Their faith was in God. Belief in a God of justice and righteousness, a God of mercy and love, moved them to heroic deeds in the cause of freedom and liberty.

If we would preserve, extend, and perpetuate the ideals for which our fathers gave their all, then we too must be inspired by faith in their God. If the day should ever come when we should lose our fathers’ God, if enough of the people of our land should definitely turn aside from His teaching, then we would we also lose our own and our children’s freedom. May the God of our fathers inspire our lives to loyal service in protecting their ideals for those who shall come after us.”

We must be moved to heroic deeds for the cause of freedom and liberty today. If we are to preserve, extend, and perpetuate the ideals for which our fathers gave their all, then we too must be inspired by a faith in their God and His principles of justice, righteousness, love and mercy.

PLEASE PRAY FOR TODAY’S AMERICAN CHRISTIANS TO DO GREAT DEEDS BECAUSE WE EMPLOY GREAT FAITH. May the God of our fathers inspire loyal service in protecting our nation’s ideals for those who come after us. May we honor and build upon the powerful heritage of our noble ancestry.