The name of the LORD is a fortified tower; the righteous run to it and are safe. (Proverbs 18:10 NIV)
Today is Independence Day in the United States of America. I’m very grateful that I was born in America to Christian parents. I didn’t choose either of those things. Of the two I am more grateful that I was born to parents who were doing their best to follow Jesus. They were not raised in Christian families and did not have parents who were the best of role models. In his childhood, someone invited my Dad to VBS and what he learned there stuck. My mom was invited to Sunday School where she learned to memorize scripture and was given a Bible. I look forward to the day that I get to say thank you to the Jesus followers who loved my parents and introduced them to Jesus.
I care about our country and I wish our political and spiritual situations were different. Solomon’s kingdom was strong and wealthy. It appeared, from a human perspective, that it would last forever. It didn’t even last another generation. Solomon has some advice for all of us who are tempted to find security in our earthly citizenship. The only kingdom that provides true safety is God’s kingdom. It is not our independence that brings safety. It is our dependence on God that eternally protects us.
I hope that as we celebrate today that we will remember which kingdom really matters.
For my grandchildren:
You are God’s child. Stay with him and stay safe.
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