The Fourth of July is a day of celebration for the people of the United States of America. It is the day set aside to celebrate our independence as a nation and the start of a great democratic experiment. The beginning of a nation, governed by the consent of the people and elected officials, is a relatively new political concept in the world. When the people of the United States wanted to select the first president of the newly formed United States they chose General George Washington. The great hero of the Revolutionary War was the obvious choice to be our first Commander and Chief.
When George Washington stood before the House of Representatives and the Senate to deliver his first, the first, Inaugural Address, he stated that his first official act as the newly elected president must be to offer,
“My fervent supplications to that Almighty Being who rules over the Universe, who presides in the Councils of Nations, and whose providential aids can supply every human defect, that his benediction may consecrate to the liberties and happiness of the People of the United States, a Government instituted by themselves for these essential purposes: and may enable every instrument employed in its administration to execute with success, the functions allotted to his charge.”
Washington knew the task before the newly formed government was great. Their job was to create a new home where the high ideals of the American Revolution could be realized for all. It was a task too big for event the great minds gathered from across the nation. That is why in his first address he petitioned the Great Shepherd to help his sheep create their new home.
On this day, when we celebrate our country’s independence and admire how fare we have come in this great democratic experiment, I encourage you to offer your gratitude to Almighty God for his care and provision. The God who has prepared a home for us for all eternity is present with us in our earthy home. As our shepherd, he leads us, both as individuals and nations. As we give thanks to God for our home on earth, let us lift our country and our future, as Washington did so long ago, to the care of God our shepherd.
Rev. Keith King, Online Campus Pastor
