5 Jul, 2011
In God We (used to) Trust
(Image by Greg Bell of Altitude Design, used with permission)
In honor of the celebration of our great country's birth and that of our independence from tyranny, I was encouraged to take a closer look at our National Anthem, "The Star Spangled Banner." Ahh . . . let the music play, as I begin to swell with pride for my country . . . but wait. As I looked closer, I realized there was a verse (specifically verse 4) that I'd never heard before, never even known it existed:
"The Star Spangled Banner"
Oh, say, can you see, by the dawn's early light,
What so proudly we hailed at the twilight's last gleaming?
Whose broad stripes and bright stars, thru the perilous fight,
O'er the ramparts we watched, were so gallantly streaming?
And the rockets' red glare, the bombs bursting in air,
Gave proof through the night that our flag was still there.
O say, does that star-spangled banner yet wave
O'er the land of the free and the home of the brave?
VERSE 4
O, thus be it ever when freemen shall stand,
Between their loved home and the war's desolation!
Blest with victory and peace, may the heav'n-rescued land
Praise the Power that hath made and preserved us a nation!
Then conquer we must, when our cause it is just,
And this be our motto: "In God is our trust"
And the star-spangled banner in triumph shall wave
O'er the land of the free and the home of the brave!
(Emphasis mine.)
A little history:
It was in September of 1814 that Frances Scott Key, was inspired to write this incredible poem (titled, "Defense of Fort McHenry," which was later put to music) in light of what he saw in Maryland after the Brittish attempt to bombard Fort McHenry. "At dawn on the 14th, Key noted that the huge American flag, which now hangs in the Smithsonian's American History Museum, was still waving and had not been removed in defeat" (http://kids.niehs.nih.gov/lyrics/spangle.htm). The victory was God's, and Key acknowledged it.
How incredible that for the next century or so, the public demanded the song be sung time and again in honor of those fighting in the Great War, and praising God for his blessing on our country. It was over 100 years later that Congress proclaimed it to be our National Anthem.
Romans 6:22-23
But now that you have been set free from sin andhave become slaves to God, the benefit you reap leads to holiness, and the result is eternal life. For the wages of sin is death, but the giftof God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.What does today's God's Story scripture teach us about freedom?
While our country celebrates our nation's freedom from tyranny, as Believers in Christ, we, celebrate our freedom from the tyranny of Satan. While soldiers choose to give thier lives for the cause of our country, Soldiers of the Lord choose to give their lives for the cause of Christ. While America rejoices and recognizes its independence, Christians rejoice and recognize their dependence on Christ. Today's scripture shows us, once again, just how backward our thinking is from that of Christ. May we boast, not in our independence, but rather in our dependence on Him. For the Believer, freedom is found in our bondage to Him: "Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom" (2 Cor. 3:17).
How can I connect today's story and God's Story scripture to my life?
Consider your level of dependence on Christ. Do you actively and intentionally depend on Him on a daily basis? It's easy, as Americans, to take our freedom for granted; likewise, as Christians, too often we take for granted all that Christ has done (and continues to do) for us! Today, take some time to be alone with Christ and meditate on all the ways He has set you free (from sin, guilt, shame, an eternity in Hell, etc.). Make a list and put it where you can see it, regularly, so that you will not forget that you depend on Him for all things, even the breath you take! Always pray for America - that God would continue to bless our country and that our freedom to worship Him, freely, would never cease.
How can I connect today's story, God's Story scripture, and my story to others?
Talk to your friends about what they did to celebrate the 4th of July. Ask them how seriously they take the holiday and if they ever take time to really reflect what it means to them, personally. Truly listen to his/her response. Take the opportunity to share what freedom means to you (as an American and a Christian), and be sure to share all of the ways you have been set free by Christ. Pray that your friends would experience the freedom and peace that Christ offers.
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