Joshua 4:1-3, 6-7 “And it came to pass, when all the people were clean passed over Jordan, that the LORD spake unto Joshua, saying, Take you twelve men out of the people, out of every tribe a man, And command ye them, saying, Take you hence out of the midst of Jordan, out of the place where the priests’ feet stood firm, twelve stones, and ye shall carry them over with you, and leave them in the lodging place, where ye shall lodge this night…That this may be a sign among you, that when your children ask their fathers in time to come, saying, What mean ye by these stones? Then ye shall answer them, That the waters of Jordan were cut off before the ark of the covenant of the LORD; when it passed over the Jordan, the waters of Jordan were cut off: and these stones shall be for a memorial unto the children of Israel for ever.”
Psalm 33:12 “Blessed is the nation whose God is the LORD; and the people whom he hath chosen for his own inheritance.”
John Adams immediately understood the importance of our nation’s declaration of independence, both the act and the document itself. It was on July 2, 1776 that the Continental Congress approved the following resolution: “That these United Colonies are, and of right ought to be, free and independent States, that they are absolved from all allegiance to the British Crown, and that all political connection between them and the State of Great Britain is, and ought to be, totally dissolved.” The public declaration of these sentiments occurred two days later, memorialized in our Declaration of Independence.
John Adams wrote to Abigail describing his thoughts about that day:
“The Second Day of July 1776, will be the most memorable Epocha, in the history of America. I am apt to believe that it will be celebrated, by succeeding Generations, as the great anniversary Festival. It ought to be commemorated, as the Day of Deliverance by solemn Acts of Devotion to God Almighty. It ought to be solemnized with Pomp and Parade with Shows, Games, Sports, Guns, Bells, Bonfires and Illuminations from one End of this Continent to the other from this Time forward forever more.”
Though our nation has settled on the 4th of July as our official day of independence, it is right to give God thanks and praise for our nation on this day and every day as we remember this most memorable Epocha in the history of America. It is proper and appropriate to take a day to celebrate our great anniversary Festival. It should be commemorated by solemn acts of devotion to God Almighty. It ought to be solemnized with pomp and parade from one end of our continent to the other. It must be commemorated as a day of deliverance while being diligently taught to our children.
AMERICAN CHRISTIAN, PLEASE PRAISE GOD FOR HIS IMPACT ON THE FOUNDING OF OUR NATION AND PRAY FOR HIS CONTINUED GUIDANCE AND PRESENCE IN OUR SOCIETY TODAY. On the upcoming Independence Day weekend, it is right and proper to remember this most memorable Epocha in the history of America.