Thursday, July 4

THURSDAY, JULY 4, 2019

 

 

"Blessed is the nation whose God is the Lord, the people he chose for his inheritance." (Psalm 33:12)

 

"Why do the nations conspire

    and the peoples plot in vain?

The kings of the earth rise up

    and the rulers band together

    against the Lord and against his anointed, saying,

'Let us break their chains

    and throw off their shackles.'" (Psalm 2:1-3)

 

 

Happy Fourth of July!  May we give thanks today for the tremendous freedoms that we enjoy as Americans, particularly the freedom to live out our faith and to bring glory to God.  May the people of God bring blessing and honor to Him in our day so that we might bind up the broken-hearted and bring peace and joy where strife exists today.  Let us turn back to Him and bow willingly before Him, trusting Him for His guidance and provision.

 

Today's reading highlights the real-world conflicts that will occur.  While God exercises sovereignty over history and every nation, people "conspire... and plot in vain."  They seek to counteract God's sovereignty, particularly in rejecting Jesus's Kingdom and placing themselves in that exalted place. 

 

The writer of Hebrews highlights Psalm 2:7 as evidence of Jesus's exalted place, declaring Him superior to the angels.  He starts out the letter by pointing to the completeness of God's revelation in Christ:  "In the past God spoke to our ancestors through the prophets at many times and in various ways, but in these last days he has spoken to us by his Son, whom he appointed heir of all things, and through whom also he made the universe.  The Son is the radiance of God’s glory and the exact representation of his being, sustaining all things by his powerful word. After he had provided purification for sins, he sat down at the right hand of the Majesty in heaven.  So he became as much superior to the angels as the name he has inherited is superior to theirs."

 

While we celebrate our freedom today, we will find our greatest purpose and joy in remembering, acknowledging, and embracing the sovereignty of our King, the Lord Jesus Christ.  By His shed blood, He has opened up His Kingdom to us, and we rejoice in how He escorts us into wholeness and relationship with God.  He call us to rest in His care.  His yoke is easy, and His burden is light. (Matthew 11:28-30)

 

How could you more fully embrace God's sovereignty and purpose and the superiority of Christ today?  Where could you yield more to His calling?  For what could you give thanks today?

 

 

"My Country, 'Tis of Thee"

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VKj7FLg3WVA

 

Fourth verse:  "Our fathers' God to Thee, Author of liberty, to Thee we sing  / Long may our land be bright, with freedom's holy light, protect us by Thy might, / Great God our King.”

 

 

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