July 4, Remember
“We on this continent should never forget that men first crossed the Atlantic not to find soil for their ploughs but to secure liberty for their souls.” – Robert J. McCracken
Dr. Robert J. McCracken, raised in Presbyterianism in Scotland, attended Glasgow University, and in 1928 was ordained as a Baptist minister. He served several Baptist churches, taught in the Baptist Theological College of Scotland, and seemed to be most noted as successor to Harry Emerson Fosdick in the pulpit of Riverside Church, New York, City. His quote above deserves attention on this great day of celebrating our Independence. “Liberty for their souls.” Religious freedom! The freedom to worship the God of our faith. The God of Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, and Joseph. The God of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. The One God. The divine breath of the Holy Scriptures. The Godhead: known in the depth of the Scriptures, the church, and her mission in the world as God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit. He is the God of all the universe, the One true God. He is Creator and Redeemer. And He is to be worshipped and adored. This worship is indeed Christian worship, for God’s Word testifies that Jesus Christ is indeed the full representation of God, for He is God Who has come in the flesh.
On this day of our nation’s independence, as we practice a patriotic remembrance, should not our lives break forth in Christian worship? God is indeed our only source of hope and FREEDOM. Today of all days, let’s not forget Him. The hymn, God of Our Fathers, was written by Daniel C. Roberts in 1876, on the 100th birthday of our nation.[1] Many disparage our nation for drifting far from God. But, today, in the heart of every Christian, in my heart and yours, if we truly prioritize Christian worship as we should, I believe the light of Christ will indeed increase against the darkness that develops around us. May we take this day, our day of celebrating the freedom to worship God, and may we recommit afresh and anew to worshipping our God, and our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.
God of our Fathers, Whose Almighty Hand, Leads forth in beauty all the starry band.
Of Shining worlds in splendor through the skies. Our grateful songs, before thy throne arise.
Thy Love divine hath led us in the past. In this free land by thee our lot is cast.
Be thou our ruler, guardian, guide, and stay.Thy Word Our Law, thy Paths our chosen ways.
From wars alarms, from deadly pestilence, Be thy Strong arm our ever sure defense.
Thy true religion in our hearts increase,Thy Bounteous goodness, nourish us in peace.
Refresh thy people on their toilsome way; Lead us from night, to never ending day; Fill all our lives, with love and grace divine, And glory, laud, and praise be ever thine.
Blessings.
[1] The Psalter Hymnal Handbook, 1987
