Celebrate Freedom

 For freedom Christ has set us free; stand firm therefore, and do not submit again to a yoke of slavery.     –  Galatians 5:1

In 1915, in a kibbutz near the Sea of Galilee in what was then Ottoman Syria, a young Jewish boy was born. He and that kibbutz would become an essential part of the founding of the new nation of Israel.  He became fluent in Hebrew, Arabic, and English and, from the age of 14, joined what was known as the Haganah defense force. Moshe Dayan would become a military leader, and by July 1948, he was commander of the Jewish-controlled area of Jerusalem. Even after Israel’s establishment as a Jewish state that year, Dayan would go on to lead military forces through the Suez Crisis, the Six-Day War, the War of Attrition, and the Yom Kippur War. His death, from a massive heart attack in 1981, shocked the nation. Dayan’s legacy continues. He knew the cost of freedom for Israel and would often exclaim, “Freedom is the oxygen of the soul.” 

There are 682 days between today and the date on which America will celebrate 250 years of its independence. That day has the potential to be an incredible celebration of freedom. According to an editorial by Armstrong Williams, an author and sometimes pugnacious radio commentator, the average world empire survives for 250 years. He says, ”It is past time for Americans to confront the painful reality that our time as a world superpower may be limited, and it is time to explore how to slow down what, frankly, is an inevitability at some point — that the United States’ global domination will not persist indefinitely. “ 

In today’s verse, Paul reminds the Galatians that there is freedom in Christ Jesus—true freedom. Milwaukee pastor Byrene Haney said, “We can agree with society there are at least three dimensions of freedom. We need to be free individually (so we can be who God wants), free socially (so all can see the glory of God), and free psychologically (so we can relate to God and others authentically and clearly).” He added, “The person who is truly free trusts, loves, and obeys God through Christ and in the Spirit, loves, and serves others. He also lives before Christ with a clear conscience as they grow in holiness and love.” Pray for U.S. voters to be discerning in the coming election. Pray that Americans will turn to the Lord to maintain the nation’s freedom and come to the Savior to obtain true freedom in Christ.