This is the greatest country on the earth! I’m not aware if there has ever been any better. The Founding Fathers of this great Nation risked it all! Of the 56 signers of the Declaration, few were long to survive. Five were captured by the British as traitors, and tortured before they died. Twelve had their homes ransacked and burned. Two lost their sons in the Revolutionary Army, another had two sons captured. And though few of them benefited from their bravery, and most lost everything they owned, not one recanted his original declaration of independence.
These men were courageous and valiant and brave and because of them and others, we have the privilege of being here today, and living in the greatest country in the world.
As citizens of such a great nation, we have been blessed with the task of stewardship. Stewardship of a nation in which others fought, sacrificed and died for. Our Founding Fathers sacrificed a great deal in order that we could have this great nation. Men like Jefferson, Washington, Adams, among others paid a great price for our freedom. Throughout the years countless numbers of people have laid their lives on the line to fight for the freedoms we now enjoy.
All Americans have a responsibility to maintain the greatness of our country. We are responsible to continue the tenants our founding fathers ascribed to so adamantly. Luke tells us in his Gospel, “For everyone to whom much is given, from him much will be required; and to whom much has been committed, of him they will ask the more (Luke 12:48b NKJV).
As great as our country is, we are not without problems. One of the things we need to understand concerning the problems our nation struggles with is the fact they are rooted in spiritual issues. The United States of America is a nation founded on the Word of God. The men who established this nation were God-fearing men.
Patrick Henry stated, “It cannot be emphasized too strongly or too often that this great nation was founded, not by religionists, but by Christians, not on religions, but on the gospel of Jesus Christ!”
The Founding Fathers left us a wonderful country. What kind of country are we going to leave our children and grandchildren?
Keep in mind: Our Constitution ends “in the year of our Lord.” Our Nation’s motto: “In God we trust,” and, our Pledge “One nation under God.”
While you enjoy your freedoms this month, don’t forget at what cost they came, and the foundation upon which they were laid.
