Bible Reading - Deuteronomy 4, Psalm 86-87, Isaiah 32, Revelation 2I met a woman on an airplane who was from another country. She explained to me that her husband, and father of her children was shot and killed a few years ago right out side of her home and that she was coming to America for a new life. I protested, “Did they catch the man who killed him? Is he in jail?!” She shook her head sadly and said, “We don’t have that kind of government. There are no laws. There is no safety. There is no justice. It is chaos.”
When I hear stories like this woman’s, I am overwhelmed with gratitude for the country we live in. Many people complain about our government or our laws, but I can’t imagine living in a nation without the protection of our troops and our laws.
I am also grateful today for the freedom we have to worship our God. There are many other countries where it is against the law to own a Bible or pray to Jesus.
This scripture in Deuteronomy 4: 5-9 was making note that other nations would be in awe of Israel for their intimate God and also for their laws and decrees:
“See, I have taught you decrees and laws as the LORD my God commanded me, so that you may follow them in the land you are entering to take possession of it. Observe them carefully, for this will show your wisdom and understanding to the nations, who will hear about all these decrees and say, "Surely this great nation is a wise and understanding people." What other nation is so great as to have their gods near them the way the LORD our God is near us whenever we pray to him? And what other nation is so great as to have such righteous decrees and laws as this body of laws I am setting before you today?”
I am grateful today for many reasons. For the safety and freedom we have in our country but also the freedom we have to worship our God who is near to us when we pray. I laid in bed with my family this morning and we began to teach our four year old daughter about Memorial Day. We explained to her how grateful we are for the men and women who have given their lives for our country and for those currently risking their lives. We explained to her that these people are heroes and that we should pray for them. We don’t live in a perfect nation with perfect leaders, but we will get a lot more accomplished through prayer and involvement than through criticism. I want my children to grow up grateful for their freedom and prayerful for their nation and it‘s leaders.
Would you take a moment today to thank God for our troops, our freedom and for the wonderful intimacy with Christ that we have been given?
Thanks for reading,
Mel Miller
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