POSTED 05 JULY, 2010

Fourth of July Worship and Prayer

by Mark Huey
mark@outreachisrael.net

reproduced from the McHuey Blog

For citizens of the United States, the Fourth of July commemoration that recognizes the signing of the Declaration of Independence in 1776 is an annual celebration that generates a number of mixed emotions. Great joy and admiration for the courage and strength of the signers of the declaration can most assuredly be superseded by reflecting on the Source of their inspiration. No doubt the fingerprints of the Almighty are evident as the preamble recognizing “Nature’s God” is followed by these immortal words:

“We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness.”
(Click here for the full text of the Declaration of Independence)

Additionally, the very Liberty Bell, that rang forth the good news that something historic had occurred on this day some 234 years ago, was inscribed with a partial quotation of Leviticus 25:10:

“And ye shall hallow the fiftieth year, and proclaim liberty throughout all the land unto all the inhabitants thereof: it shall be a jubilee unto you; and ye shall return every man unto his possession, and ye shall return every man unto his family” (Leviticus 25:10, KJV).

Obviously, the founders of the American Republic for which citizens stand was one nation, indivisible, under God, with liberty and justice for all. This statement is naturally a reference to the later Pledge of Allegiance that was given a final edit by President Dwight Eisenhower, who on Flag Day, June 14, 1954, added the reference to “under God” with these words:

“In this way we are reaffirming the transcendence of religious faith in America’s heritage and future; in this way we shall constantly strengthen those spiritual weapons which forever will be our country’s most powerful resource in peace and war.”

This year, the Fourth of July just happened to fall on a Sunday, when many in America are first turning to church and worship, before other more secular celebrations usually involving fireworks and/or barbeques that reflect on the historical remembrance of the birthday of the United States. However, if you have some concerns that the America that you remember is being radically transformed into a country that you do not recognize, then I would recommend that you take a short amount of time to watch a video/sermon by Pastor Charles Stanley of In Touch Ministries at the following link:

<http://www.intouch.org/broadcast/video-archives/content/topic/turning_the_tide>

While I am not in the habit of recommending various videos from other individuals or ministries, I found that watching this presentation was so concise and accurate that I felt it should be viewed by all who call upon the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, and who specifically look to Outreach Israel Ministries for a reasonable and spiritually uplifting Messianic voice of instruction. We all know about the many rash approaches used by some Messianic teachers and self-proclaimed prophets, who use the fear of imminent wars and hyperbolic invectives to stir up emotion and action (usually to support their enterprises), and how the credibility of the Messianic perspective has been damaged by it. This is especially true when false predictions fail to happen and the disappointed devotees either lose heart or resources because of actions taken—or worse, fall away from the faith. Lamentably, this is something we have witnessed multiple times over a period of two decades.

As a student of history and a teacher of the Bible who has studied the ebbs and flows of civilizations down through the millennia, my concern for not only our country but for my children and future generations was definitely piqued by Dr. Stanley’s message. After watching this video, the compulsion to pray for our country was definitely instilled in my heart. Perhaps your viewing will do likewise.

Until the restoration of all things…

Mark Huey (B.A., Vanderbilt University in History and Graduate Studies at Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University) is the Director of Outreach Israel Ministries (www.outreachisrael.net). He is the author of several books, including: TorahScope, Volumes I & II, and Counting the Omer: A Daily Devotional Toward Shavuot. He is also co-author of Hebraic Roots: An Introductory Study.