Happy Birthday, America!

When the Israelites were freed from Egyptian slavery, it was not their might that did it.  It was all the power of GOD through Moses.  It did not happen overnight, either.  GOD had allowed Israel to be enslaved in order to bring them back to Him, and at the time of their deliverance He sent a series of miraculous events to remind them Who was in charge.

After they were freed, the Israelites were commanded in the law given by GOD through Moses to remember this deliverance and His care for them through a series of feast days and other events.  One, called the Jubilee, happened every 50th year:  "And you shall hallow the fiftieth year, and proclaim liberty throughout the land unto all the inhabitants thereof.  It shall be a jubilee unto you..." Leviticus 25:10

When the Continental Congress proclaimed independence from England on July 4, 1776, they acknowledged the hand of GOD in all their dealings.  Even so, the birth of this nation did not happen overnight.  It took a huge commitment and unbelievable sacrifice on the part of a minority of Americans over many long years of battles (more lost than won) and deprivation before the goal of independence was realized.  Perhaps this nation became free through such tribulation in order that we might remember it was GOD's might, not ours, that accomplished it.

On this 234th birthday of the United States of America, I pray that we will humble ourselves and not trust in our own strength, but pledge "our lives, our fortunes, and our sacred honor" to the One Who created everything and from Whom come our lives, our freedoms, and our inalienable rights.