I love to celebrate Independence Day with some good patriotic music, a good patriotic message, and fireworks. Through the years my taste in music has remained the same and my love for fireworks has not wavered.  My notion of what makes a good patriotic message has changed though.  I have discovered a great ignorance in our land about the things that made America a “light to the world”.  I have also become convinced that the day may come when we no longer celebrate our “independence” because we have become a “dependent” people.

Becoming a “dependent ” people is not a bad thing if we depend on the right things.  Depending on our form of government is not the thing that makes us independent.  Our source of independence is not found in our elected officials, our constitution, bill of rights or our legal system. Our freedom as a people is directly tied to our dependence on God.  We need Him.

I am preaching this morning on “A Nation in Need”.  Some Americans can articulate their needs.  Others find it easier to describe their wants because they don’t need a thing.  The people of Laodicea (Rev 3) were like that.  To hear them tell it, they didn’t need a thing. But according to Jesus they did not know just how needy they were.

On this 4th of July my prayer is that we will fall on our knees before the Lord of the Universe in repentance.  He alone is our source of independence.  Happy Independence Day!

Your Servant in Christ,
Bro. Monte