Freedom

Therefore if the Son makes you free, you shall be free indeed. John 8:36 NKJV

Today here in the United States, we celebrate our freedom and independence. We are blessed beyond measure to live in a country where we are free to worship the Lord in the way the Bible exhorts us to – not the way a government or other ruler of authority would like. Our freedom is absolutely a precious thing and did not come easily or without a great cost.

Wednesday evening, I happened to catch the last few minutes of a program that interviewed a few men who were POWs during the Vietnam War. They spoke about their time in prison with the Vietnamese soldiers. They told about torture tactics they received to try and get them to renounce the United States policies. They were isolated from the other POWs. Yet these US Soldiers stood firm in their honor and commitment to this country never forgetting that they could withstand the conditions of imprisonment by relaying completely on their faith in Jesus.

One thing that stuck out to me was the way these men communicated. Since they lived in isolation and were not allowed to see their fellow POWs, they developed a “tapping” code of sorts to talk to one another. The alphabet, they explained, was divided into 5 rows of letters. If you tapped once (paused) tapped twice (paused) that would mean “first row, second letter or ‘B.’” Sometimes they would clear their throats to communicate as well. The men said at night they would use the “clearing of the throat” to communicate the letters: GBU or God Bless You.

These US Soldiers told how this uplifted them. They would even use this form of communication to pray for one another. These men told amazing stories and confirmed their faith in Christ alone now and during those days in prison.

I could not imagine being in those conditions for years (I think I heard they were in prison 5 years before being released). I could not even begin to comprehend what they went through to defend our country. I could not think about years without being able to read my Bible or go to church or see my family and friends in the body of Christ. Then to endure the physical torture on top of all that is unthinkable. I very quickly see my shortcomings and feebleness.

God has had amazing grace on this country of ours. I know this year with the Presidential Election, the rising cost of gas and food and the division of the Iraq War our country looks divided. I saw a report on CNN.com that the USA isn’t even listed in the top 10 happiest countries in the world. That totally shocked me. We are considered the richest nation on earth – yet we are not the happiest. Our history has not been perfect and our country has had growing pains along the way. Even with all the problems we still have our freedom. There are men and women who serve in our military willing to sacrifice their families, their freedom and sometimes ultimately their lives so that you and I can be free.

We are free to worship Jesus. We are free to read our Bibles. We are free to talk openly with those around us. We are free and buy and sell goods. So, today, let’s celebrate our freedom. We can rejoice that we are free to celebrate and continue to pray for God’s grace upon our leaders, military and country. We are free and that is reason to celebrate.

Have a blessed 4th of July!

Dear Lord, thank you for this country that you have blessed us with. Thank you for our freedom and independence. Thank you for the men and women who have sacrificed so much to defend us. I pray your grace be upon our nation today and always. Amen.

Enjoyed the Post? Share...

Facebook

Twitter

Pinterest

Linkedin

email

Digg

Reddit

• ← True Freedom
• How to Catch a Fish →