Celebrating 250 Years of the Republic
Celebrating 250 Years of the Republic
By Pastor John Dawson
Since the declaration in 1776, the 4th of July has always been a big deal in our nation. John Adams said it should be perpetually celebrated with parades, speeches, and fireworks. To that many of us add the barbeque. Where I grew up, people gathered in Silver Park as it grew dark. I was told the crowd would climb to 50,000 people—quite a feat for a town of less than 30,000. Blankets were laid out. The crowd would respond to the dazzling show with all the usual oohs and aahs before we shuffled out of the park in a crowded mass. It was the annual spectacle to mark the day.
Fifty years ago, we celebrated the bicentennial year—200. There were even more events than usual. There was a beard growing contest (I still have the runner-up shaving mug—but full disclosure, all who entered but did not win were declared runners-up). I graduated from High School that year, so, our robes and cords were red, white, and blue. Bicycling was big then, so a national bike route was marked 76 as they declared it the bike-centennial. That route can still be seen not far from us. I’m sure some of you can remember the extra events that marked our national celebration that year.
This year is the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence. There are some special events to mark the day, but it does not seem to have anywhere near the focus that I remember from 50 years ago. A large part of this is due to the political divide in our country. If one side wants to do something the in celebration, the other side will try to bring rain on the parade or replace it with a competing event. There has been an emphasis on past and present sins of our nation. This has driven many to mute their celebrations. I am sorry for this, because our celebrations and joy should not be driven only by our righteous achievements, but even more by thankfulness for the blessings of God whose kind providence has given prosperity and freedom to our land. To put it bluntly, it is wrong not to joyously celebrate the blessings of liberty given to us and our posterity by the gracious hand of God. We have received much by God’s care. Not recognizing that is ingratitude. We must be grateful to God from whom all blessings flow.
Our republic was set up for the people to govern themselves. Such a government requires a righteous people who have a self-governing principle which inside each citizen to understand and do the right thing. The thin blue line of the police cannot keep the peace unless the citizens themselves keep lawful and peaceful. Again, I think it was John Adams who said that our government was designed for a godly people and is wholly unsuitable for any other. We were founded by a Christian people. There has been a Christian hegemony for much of our history. That is fading rapidly. Even in the 1960s, Elton Trueblood described ours as a cut-flower civilization. It retains many appearances of morality and Christianity, but cut from its roots, it is mere appearance. As my mother would say, cut flowers are already dead.
This may sound very bleak, but our hope is not based on trends in society, or even the strength of our faithfulness, but on the blessing of God. We who see lawlessness and godlessness growing are not pessimistic because our faith is not in our neighbors or even ourselves, but in our God. Blessed is the nation whose God is the Lord, the people whom he has chosen as his heritage (Psalm 33:12). We are called to be good citizens. We are called to be good neighbors. But the blessing that our nation needs comes first from the Lord. And it will come through the Church because the Church lays appropriate claim to being the people whom God has chosen for his heritage.
May our gracious Lord bless all the actions which support righteousness in our nation. As you celebrate the 4th, remember that our first action in that celebration is thanksgiving to God for his blessing in our land. Also, it begins with prayer to God for his mercy to seen here among us. Remember that the Irving Berlin’s song, God bless America, is a prayer—according to the lyrics, a solemn prayer. And then pray that God will use your hands and actions to further that blessing. Look for ways to make that happen. Pray for your brothers and sisters in the Church of Jesus Christ to rise to the things God calls them to do.
God save the Republic.
Pastor John