I’ll never forget being 16 years old and hearing my dad explain how he willingly signed his name on a dotted line stating, even if it cost him his life, he would defend our nation’s freedom.

I was stunned with the realization that defending America’s freedom may require such great sacrifice.

Two of the greatest blessings God has given me are a mother and father who love God, love each other, love our family, and love our nation. My mom has been committed to praying for America for many years. She has also led prayer teams across the country to pray for our nation. My dad served as a pilot for 24 years in the United States Air Force. He has flown across the world and trained the next generation of pilots to continue to defend our nation.

My parents helped me understand that previous generations have protected America’s freedom for us. And we must know, remember, and defend this freedom for future generations.

On Sunday, we will celebrate our nation’s 245th birthday. Something I especially enjoy doing with my family on July 4th is reading the Declaration of Independence together.

The words of the Declaration of Independence are, quite literally, revolutionary.

While our nation is not perfect, its cornerstone of truth remains strong, “… all men are created equal… they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness.”

The Declaration of Independence boldly proclaims the truth that God, not government, gives us rights. What follows includes details of how the British Monarchy infringed, numerous times, upon the God-given rights of citizens. (And taxation without representation isn’t even at the top of the list!)

The Declaration of Independence was just the beginning of a fight for freedom. Though the battlefronts look a bit different than those of 1776, the fight for freedom continues. Now, the fight for freedom includes defending preborn life, religious liberty, and parental rights.

The children of Israel were instructed to remember how God brought them out of bondage into freedom and teach the next generation the testimony of God’s goodness.

Similarly, we must remember the testimony of God’s grace on America and teach this to the next generation.

This July 4th, as you celebrate with family and friends, I encourage you read the Declaration of Independence together and remember its words penned by a generation who sacrificed for freedom – and the freedom of generations to come.

For Freedom,

Nicole Hudgens
Government Affairs

Sir William Jones, the renowned eighteenth-century English jurist and scholar, once remarked of his native England, “We live in the midst of blessings till we are utterly insensible of their greatness and the source from whence they flow.”

Sadly, the same could be said of the American people today. Even with all the problems we face today, we are blessed to live in the most prosperous, secure, politically stable, and free nation in the history of the world. Yet too many turn their backs on our national foundations, indignantly sneer at the biblical morality we once shared, and speak with contempt of the founding fathers and other faithful men who have—by their vigilance and sacrifice—secured, maintained and preserved our republic for future generations.

What was, to paraphrase Sir William Jones, the source from whence our blessings of liberty, prosperity, and security flowed? What was the source of our national greatness?

In his first Thanksgiving Proclamation, President George Washington unequivocally answered: “It is the duty of all nations to acknowledge the providence of Almighty God, to obey his will, to be grateful for his benefits, and humbly to implore his protection and favor.”

That, indeed, was the unanimous opinion of the founding fathers who appended their names to the Declaration of Independence exactly 245 years ago. In fact, Independence Day in early America was celebrated as a day of national thanksgiving to God.

Our founders attested to God’s intervention on our behalf during the War for Independence and His goodness in guiding them as they created a nation rooted in the idea of liberty under God’s law and built upon His unchanging Word. They believed the American people should come together to extend gratitude and worship to God for His protection, favor, and blessing.

Writing to his wife Abigail immediately after joining with his fellow delegates in voting for independence, John Adams presciently foresaw both the importance of the event in which he had just taken part and the traditions that would be celebrated by successive generations of Americans:

“I am apt to believe that [Independence Day] will be celebrated, by succeeding generations, as the great anniversary festival. It ought to be commemorated as the Day of Deliverance by solemn acts of devotion to God Almighty. It ought to be solemnized with pomp and parade, with shows, games, sports, guns, bells, bonfires and illuminations [fireworks] from one end of this continent to the other from this time forward forever more.”

Yes, John Adams predicted that Independence Day would be celebrated with fireworks, parades, sports, and guns! How’s that for a prediction come true?

But also notice that John Adams says Independence Day ought to be celebrated by solemn acts of devotion to God Almighty. God, who is the source of all blessings, deserves our worship and thanksgiving today. He has given us our liberty, and He has allowed us to live in a nation that has done better than any other in offering opportunity to all and empowering everyone to exercise their rights freely.

As you celebrate Independence Day, take a few minutes to pray with your family, thanking God for all He has done for the United States of America and asking Him that our nation may reclaim its founding principles.

Join with me in following the wisdom of President Washington, who over two centuries ago encouraged his countrymen to acknowledge God’s providence and authority, obey His law, be grateful to Him for the blessings we have been given, and humbly ask him for his continued protection and favor.

Standing with you this Independence Day,

Nathan Winters
Executive Director