America
All true Americans really embrace this expression in our National Anthem. “Land of the free, and home of the brave.” That is the true essence of the founding of this great nation. The brave made it free! But I have to admit that toward the end of my life I am seeing a different side of many within our nation. It seems to becoming the land of the free loader and home of the brazen. Breaks my heart!
But even as great as this nation has been and is still, we as believers need to look beyond our national heritage to the One who actually created this nation for many purposes for his kingdom. God foreordained America and it has blessed many across the world and within our own borders.
Free indeed
When I think of land of the free, I am drawn to Jesus’ words in John. “If you abide in my word, you are truly my disciples, and you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.” (Vs. 8.36) He talks about being a slave to sin and the lack of freedom therein. He says a slave does not remain in the house forever, but the son remains forever. He follows up with this awesome truth. “So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed.” And that is freedom now and for eternity.
And what about the home of the brave? I think of so many men and women, young and old, who have paid the ultimate price and made the personal sacrifice for what this nation stands for. Brave indeed! But as we know, this is not our permanent home, we are just passing through. Jesus has promised us and insured it on the cross, through his resurrection, and now as our High Priest, that our true home is with him.
Bravery
The writer of Hebrews talks about the true brave One, Jesus, and how we should also follow him as brave souls. “So also Jesus suffered and died outside the city gates to make his people holy by means of his own blood. So let us go out to him, outside the camp, and bear the disgrace he bore. For this world is not our permanent home; we are looking forward to a home yet to come.” (Vss. 13.12-14 NLT)
And if you want to see the many ‘brave’ followers of the Lord, read Hebrews 11. God’s ‘Museum of Faith’. And what does it say about their motivation to suffer? “If they had longed for the country they came from, they could have gone back. But they were looking for a better place, a heavenly homeland. That is why God is not ashamed to be called their God for he has prepared a city for them.” (Heb. 11.15,16 NLT)
Like these patriots for Christ, we must live by faith in the One who is faithful. In him, our freedom has been secured and our eternal home has been prepared. Allelujah! And yes, on this Independence Day 2023, God bless America!!
