You may ask how can talk about celebrating with the political and social struggles going on in our nation right now. America may not be perfect, but it has been wonderfully blessed of God. There are few nations on earth that have the freedoms and opportunities that we enjoy. We are celebrating again our nation’s foundations and the sacrifice of many who have helped us have the life that we appreciate.

Jesus said that there would be a day when true worshippers (those who recognize worth) would worship the Father in spirit and in truth. He said in the same scriptures that He was the coming Messiah who would reveal truth, and later He spoke of Himself as being the way, the truth, and the life.

As we celebrate our independence from overbearing powers, we do not want to be independent from God. This nation has been blessed of God, because in large part we have sought after Him as a people. It is my understanding that to the degree that we have worshipped Him, we have been blessed as a nation.

It is my desire that we as a people will not get so busy celebrating our own pursuit of life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness that we miss the true spiritual foundations that enable us to have full purpose as a nation and as individuals that God has prepared for us.

Blessed is the nation whose God is the Lord. Psalm 33:12.

Ken Lawrence is pastor at River of Life Fellowship in Sandpoint. He can be reached at sandpointriver@gmail.com.