While praying about this message, I said, Lord, I want something different.  The Lord said, “The truth will never be an old message, it will never be outdated, and it will always be relevant.”

John 8:31-32Then Jesus said to those Jews who believed Him, “If you abide in My word, you are My disciples indeed.32 And you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.” NKJV

The truth is the influence of the gospel and presence of God in our society, and personal lives. The scripture tells us that “Righteousness exalts a nation.” Also, Proverbs 29:2 When the righteous are in authority, the people rejoice.

This led me to the term providence. We should want our major endeavors in life to be providentially driven.

Providence: (definition) divine guidance or care; God is conceived as the power sustaining and guiding human destiny. (Providential is the result.)

When we look back at our history, we make a mistake in looking for men and women who were perfect saints with little halos around their heads. What we find are people that have scars, faults, not perfected in all Christian values.

The Lord said to me,” Are you perfect without any imperfections? Don’t dismiss those who came before you carving freedom to the best of their ability.”

David Barton’s observation: “At times, it seems as though our nation has forgotten God. To a great extent, our modern objectives have become success, status, and security. These are followed closely by self-indulgence, comfort and pleasure. Our permissive society turns freedom into license; rights into riots; and pornography into profit. Some people are so concerned about a higher standard of living that they fail to live by any standard. Riches are elevated above righteousness, and science above the Savior. We abandon the moral law and then shake our heads in disbelief as crime increases.”
William Bennett said, “There is coarseness, callousness and a cynicism to our era. The worst of it has to do with our children. Our culture seems almost dedicated to the corruption of the young. People are losing their capacity for shock, disgust and outrage.” Bennett continues: “Today we must carry on a new struggle for the country we love. We must push hard against an age that is pushing hard against us. If we have full employment and greater economic growth—if we have cities of gold and alabaster—but our children have not learned how to walk in goodness, justice and mercy, then the American experiment, no matter how attractive we make it, will have failed.”

Freedom is very important, however, being free must have a foundation to be able to stand and deliver. God calls us as He did Israel, to revisit the truth over and over to keep the foundations strong and to teach the next generation.

Psalm 44:1 We have heard with our ears Oh God, Our fathers have told us what you did in their day long ago.

The opening statement of the Declaration of Independence.

We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their creator with certain inalienable rights, that among these are Life, Liberty, and the pursuit of Happiness- That to secure these Rights, Governments are instituted among men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the Governed…..

Notice the term; endowed by their creator.

The belief in God’s Providence is still a crucial element of freedom and liberty; it set
the stage for the founder’s faith toward God to find expression in the formation of the country, the Constitution and the laws of the land.  Providential destiny is empowered through the belief in God and the scriptures.

John Adams addressing the Continental Congress, June 21, 1776, for the purpose of drafting the Declaration of  Independence, said;

 “Statesmen, My dear sirs, many plan and speculate for liberty, but it is religion and morality alone, which can establish the Principles upon which freedom can securely stand……There is no lasting liberty without virtue.”

Virtue is the foundation of good and doing right before God.

It was on July 30, 1789 that President George Washington gave his inaugural address, one third of which was dedicated to the direct supplication to God for guidance and strength for our nation. And with that start, God has blessed our nation. But have we forgotten who has blessed us? These are points made by President George Washington:

“While just government protects all in their religious rights, true religion affords to
government its surest support.
Of all the dispositions and habits which lead to political prosperity, religion and
morality are indispensable supports. In vain would that man claim the tribute of
patriotism who should labor to subvert these great pillars of human happiness,
these firmest props of the duties of man and citizens
And let us with caution indulge the supposition that morality can be maintained
without religion. Whatever may be conceded to the influence of refined education
on minds of peculiar structure, reason and experience both forbid us to expect
that national morality can prevail in exclusion of religious principle. It is
substantially true, that virtue or morality is a necessary spring of popular
government. The rule, indeed, extends with more or less force to every species
of free government. Who, that is a sincere friend to it, can look with indifference
upon attempts to shake the foundation of the fabric?”  George Washington

These series of events that led up to the declaring freedom from Great Britain were influenced by The Great Awakening of 1734-1750 that led to a revival throughout the thirteen colonies causing salvations by the hundreds. A preacher named Jonathan Edwards was used by God to seek for people to be changed for the glory of the Lord.

People were so aware of the scriptures, their meaning and their power to change a life and country. Some very influential men in the American Revolution, were raised by parents of The Great Awakening or were themselves touched by the spiritual awakening. Change a man, you change his destiny, and the influence can change a nation.

Whatever you do to celebrate the freedom you have, be sure to give thanks to Almighty God. The truth is: True freedom and power to hold onto freedom is based upon the character of the people. You may argue with me about the content of character; but it must have its basis in goodness, honesty, kindness and graciousness toward one another.