Don’t you just love the patriotism, fireworks, picnics, and just having the day off to have some fun around July 4th? This day on our calendar is what is celebrated as our nation’s birthday since 1776 — that’s 239 years if you’re counting!

Although we are known as the standard for freedom in the world, it hasn’t been easy. The record of our national history is staggering. One study determined that for 222 out of our 239 years as a nation (93% of the country’s history), America has been at war.

According to researchers, “war-free” years over the last 100 years were 1935-1940, 1976-1978, 1997, and 2000 — the last year that our country was not involved in a war. If in fact there were only 21 calendar years since 1776 that we have not been involved in some type of war, consider the tremendous costs of lives! How are we impacted by this truth?

The brave men and women who have fought for and defended our nation’s freedom over these past centuries know the high cost of our liberty. Just outside the gates of Camp LeJeune and Fort Bragg, — two military bases both within just a couple of hours’ of our church property — there are signs that remind us that “Freedom is not free!” There is a high price and responsibility that comes with freedom.

God knows full well the price of freedom! He gave His Son, Jesus, so that we might know freedom from the ultimate enemy, sin, that grips all mankind and promises only death. The word of God tells us, “For we are not fighting against flesh-and-blood enemies, but against evil rulers and authorities of the unseen world, against mighty powers in this dark world, and against evil spirits in the heavenly places.” (Ephesians 6:12, NLT)

Let’s take time to remember the words we proudly sing, God Bless America. It leads us to ask God, “Stand beside our nation and lead our nation. We are fully dependent as a people on Your grace, strength, and power! If we are great, it is only because You have made us great. Lord, hear our prayer!”