“If My people who are called by My name will humble themselves, and pray and seek My face, and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin and heal their land.” 2 Chronicles 7:14

 It seems to me that July is the month for national holidays.  In Canada, they celebrate Canada Day on July 1.  In France, Bastille Day is July 14, the day the infamous prison in Paris was stormed and the prisoners were set free.  In my country, Independence Day is celebrated on July 4 with fireworks, parades, picnics and family togetherness.  It was on that day in 1776 a group of men signed the Declaration of Independence and our land was changed forever.

We don’t know for sure if George Washington was a true believer in Jesus Christ, we do know that he was a God fearing gentleman and God used him in a special way.  It was a miracle of the Lord that the Continental Army, a group of ragtag farmers and untrained military men would defeat the British who had the greatest army and navy in the world at that time!  It has been said our first president was a godly man of humble character with a sterling commitment to God.  His desire was that all students would learn in American schools “above all, the religion of Jesus Christ.” 

Of the other signers of the Declaration of Independence, we know some of them were true believers.  John Adams, our second president said:  “The general principles on which the fathers achieved independence were the general principles of Christianity.  I will avow that those general principles are as eternal and immutable as the existence and attributes of God.”

John Quincy Adams said:  “In the chain of human events, the birthday of the nation is indissolubly linked with the birthday of the Savior.  The Declaration of Independence laid the cornerstone of human government upon the first precepts of Christianity.” 

Samuel Adams, Governor of Massachusetts said: “I rely upon the merits of Jesus Christ for a pardon of all my sins.”  He prayed that “the cause of Jesus Christ, in its true spirit, be spread far and wide till the whole earth should be filled with His glory.”

There were other founding fathers who gave God His rightful place like Josiah Bartlett, James Madison, Gunning Bedford, and Charles Carroll.   When our country was in its infancy, the foundation of the Bill of Rights and the Constitution were taken from the Ten Commandments and the books of the New Testament.  Our faith in God is what made this country great!  A country is only as great as its people who have put their trust in Jesus Christ.  He brings unity, peace and justice!

As we celebrate our national holidays, wherever you live, take time out to pray for all mankind to know the love and peace that only comes through a personal relationship with Jesus Christ.

 “Blessed is the people whose God is the Lord.”  Psalms 144:15

Your friend, Jean