Moses reminds the people of Israel, “Bless the Lord your God, for the good land He has given you, and take care that you do not forget the Lord your God by failing to keep His commandments.” Do you think those words have any bearing on us today? Do you think if we ever lose touch with God, who is the author of freedom, that we will be a nation who loses its soul and its freedom? Alexis De Tocqueville came to America because he was fascinated by the greatness of America. He said, “I looked for the greatness of America in her fields and did not find it there. I looked for the greatness of America in her industries and did not find it there. Then I looked for the greatness of America in her churches and there I found it. America is great because America is good. If America ever loses her goodness, she will cease to be great.” Remember, goodness is rooted in virtue, and virtue is rooted in relationship with God. Daniel Webster, the great orator, said, “If we abide by the principles taught in the Bible, our country will go on prospering and to prosper. But if we and our posterity neglect its instructions and authority, no man can tell how sudden a catastrophe may overwhelm us and bury all our glory in profound obscurity.” Let’s take care on this Fourth of July that we do not forget the Lord our God by failing to keep His commandments.
– Dr. Tim Thompson