My Country ‘Tis Of Thee!

Christ has set us free to live a free life. So take your stand! Never again let anyone put a harness of slavery on you! Galatians 5:1

Our country is preparing to celebrate the 249th anniversary of the freedom that we all enjoy! It’s amazing how all the freedoms for which our forefathers fought and died are still the bedrock of our country even though, we as believers, see religious freedom threatened.

The verse above is a call to action urging all believers to actively embrace and defend our freedom in Christ. It emphasizes that freedom is not just a theoretical concept, but a reality to be experienced and lived. It highlights the truth that Christ brings liberation from sin, and it warns us not to return to legalistic systems or other forms of bondage that would restrict our freedom in Christ.

The song, My Country ‘Tis Of Thee, is a way of saying “My country, it is of You” or My country belongs to You,” reinforcing God’s hand in the establisment of America. Samuel Frances Smith wrote the song which served as the national anthem of America until the adoption of The Star Spangled Banner in 1931.

It is clear that belief in God influenced the first attempt at civil government in the New World. When the Pilgrims landed in America, they came to this new land seeking religious freedom. The Mayflower Compact was their first attempt to agree to submit to a system of laws.

The opening paragraph says: In the name of God, Amen. We whose names are underwritten, having undertaken for the glory of God and advancement of the Christian faith and honor of our King and country, a voyage to plant the first colony in northern parts of Virginia, do by these present solemnly and mutally in the presence of God and one another, covenant and combine ourselves into one civil political body.

In 1775, as the idea of total independence from England was taking root, Patrick Henry made a speech to the second Virginia convention in which he said, There is a just God who presides over the destinies of nations. Gentlemen may cry, peace, peace, but there is no peace. The war has actually begun. The next gale that sweeps from the North will bring to our ears the clash of resounding arms.

A year later, that just God who presides over the nations brought the clash of resounding arms in the form of The Declaration of Independence which we celebrate this week!

When the Declaration was publicly read in Philadelphia, the Liberty Bell rang out in order to call attention to the people. Inscribed on the Libery Bell are these words: “Proclaim liberty throughout all the land unto all the inhabitants thereof.” Leviticus 25:10

After the Revolution, George Washington became our first President, and as his first act, he said his oath over a Bible, and his first act as President was to bend over and kiss the Bible. His second act was to lead the Cabinet, Senate, and the House to St. Paul’s Episcopal Church were they had a two hour worship service led by the chaplains of the House and Senate. The first Congress appointed chaplains to provide religious leadership to our soldiers and sailors.

George Washington said, “It is impossible to rightly govern without God and the Bible.” John Quincy Adams added, “The highest glory of the Revolution was that it united in one indissolube bond the principles of Christianity, and the principles of civil government.” To say that our nation was not founded on religious principles is an attempt to rewrite over 200 years of history. Psalm 33 tell us Blessed is the nation whose God is the Lord.

On this celebration of the birth of our nation, there are three times that I think would be valuable for each of us to remember. First, we must praise God for the things He has done. Next, we should have a reverence for God. Finally, we should remember that a nation whose God is the Lord is a nation who will trust God because it is He and He alone who will give us the victory.

Our Father’s God to Thee, Author of Liberty, To thee we sing. Long may our land be bright, With freedom’s holy light, Protect us by thy might, Great God our King. Our Country ‘Tis Of Thee by Samuel Francis Smith

God Bless America!