Blessed is the nation whose God is the Lord, the people whom he has chosen as his heritage (Psalm 33:12).

    

The Fourth of July has always been one of my favorite times of the year. For one, it’s in the middle of my favorite season of the year. Some of my fondest memories from childhood revolve around family gatherings on the 4^th, eating BBQ, swimming all day and watching fireworks at night. There is a special nostalgia that surrounds this special day.

    

But from a historical standpoint, July 4^th is of great significant to us as a country. It commemorates the day in 1776 when our nation declared itself to be an independent nation and no longer a colony of England. On that date our leaders signed what is known as the Declaration of Independence, stating our intention to become a free country.

    

Now we know our country is not perfect. We will not experience a perfect environment until we are with Christ forevermore. Even today our society is wrestling with the implications of decisions of past generations that continue to impact our country in deep seated ways.

    

However, the fact remains that America continues to be a nation unlike any other in the history of the world. Our forefathers were determined to establish a free and democratic system of government and many people have sacrificed themselves over the years to see this dream become reality. While our country is deeply divided with various opinions about a multitude of topics today, we should be deeply grateful that we live in a country where we are allowed to have an opinion.

    

We still have the right to gather together for public worship.

    

We still have right to run for office, cast our votes, and impact public policy.

    

We continue to champion the individual’s right and the opportunity to be anything a person dreams.

    

Our independence did not come easily; only after several difficult years of war would it finally be won. Nor were our first years as a nation free from problems and controversies (as is still true). But the ideas and dreams of our forefathers have stood the test of time, and on July 4th we give thanks for the wisdom and faith and courage of those leaders.