How Should We Celebrate Independence Day?

EDITOR'S NOTE: This article first appeared in the July 1, 1984, edition of the Pentecostal Evangel. It is republished with edits.

It's summertime and July 4 is a welcome holiday. For many it's a time for picnics, fireworks, ball games, and family visits. For others it's a time to assemble for prayer and fellowship at camp meetings, youth rallies, and other church functions.

Back in 1776, John Adams wrote a letter about Independence Day that was both historic and prophetic. Writing to his wife on the day independence was declared, he said: “This clay will be celebrated by succeeding generations as the great anniversary festival. It ought to be commemorated as a 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 from this time forevermore.”

The parades, shows, games, etc. have been many but the “solemn acts of devotion to God Almighty” have become rather few.

We still “pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America, and to the republic for which it stands ... ,” but how many honor God by serving Him daily and obeying His Word?

Too few obey the Scripture that exhorts that “supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks, be made for all men; for kings, and for all that are in authority; that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and honesty” (1 Timothy 2:1,2).

A little boy, anxious to know how it feels to drive a car, kept asking his father to let him put his hands on the wheel. Eventually the father let his little son sit on his lap and steer the car in a deserted area, but he said, “I'll place my hands over yours just to be sure nothing goes wrong.”

The boy was thrilled; and later, when he offered his bedtime prayers, he was heard to say: “Dear Lord, will You please put Your hands over the hands of our President as he steers our country, so nothing will go wrong.”

On Independence Day we should get on our knees and pray for all who are “steering” our country. We should thank God for our freedom and pray He will preserve us a nation.”

We boast of “one nation, under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all,” but the fabric of community and national life is threatened by a spreading lawlessness.

Unity depends on laws, and the only laws that work are those founded on the Scriptures.

Those laws can show us solutions to the most complex problems of society-in government, business, industry, education, family life, and every other sphere-if we will accept them and apply them to modern life.

The gospel of Christ gives men self respect, ambition, and love for their neighbors. It moves the “haves” to share with the “have nots.”

Only by regaining a fear of God can America succeed.

The Bible says, “The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom.” This is the place to start.

The fear of the Lord provides the needed bond among men. It holds people together by holding them to God.

The fear of God makes Christians concerned with the problems of the less fortunate. It makes unselfish neighbors, considerate employers, and loyal employees.

It moves Christians to do something about the problems around them.

It breeds a compassion for the poor in every nation and a Christlike concern for disadvantaged children.

The Psalmist prayed, “Unite my heart to fear thy name.” Here is the unity America needs if it is to enjoy God's help and fulfill the national purposes for which He raised it up.

Robert C. Cunningham

Robert C. Cunningham served as editor of the Pentecostal Evangel magazine from 1949 to 1984.