"I shall walk at liberty, for I have sought Your precepts" (Psalm 119:45).
Every 4th of July we celebrate liberty in America. In the heart of our nation, we believe we are one nation, under God. We believe we're called, set apart with a redemptive purpose as a people to be an example and an advocate for liberty among the nations of the world-with liberty and justice for all. Yet at the same time, we know in our heart as well that we fall far short of the glory of God and fail in many ways to fulfill our calling and destiny. But the hope of our heart remains. And we even dare to believe, as arrogant as it seems to the nations of this world, that You have put that hope in our heart.
But according to Your Word, we cannot walk in Your liberty unless we seek your precepts. It's only where the Spirit of the Lord is that there is liberty (2 Corinthians 3:17). And Your Spirit cannot fill what Your Blood has not cleansed; Your Blood cannot cleanse what we've not lain down at the foot of Your Cross (1 John 1:19).
Speak Your precepts into our heart. Teach us Your ways and empower us to walk in them-not in our power or strength, not in our wisdom or ingenuity, not in our tenaciousness or persistence; and certainly not in our ego or pride. But help us humble ourselves in the sight of the Lord, so that You can lift us up (James 4:10). It's the Spirit of God at work within us that enables us to will and to act according to the precepts of Your Word (Philippians 2:13). "Not by might, nor by power, but by My Spirit, says the Lord of hosts" (Zechariah 4:6).
Help us draw near to You, so that You can draw near to us (James 4:8). Help us humble our heart, seek Your face, repent of our sin, and pray, so that You can hear our cry, answer our prayer, and heal our land (2 Chronicles 7:14). Only the pure of heart can see God and only a heart cleansed by the Blood of the Lamb can be pure (Matthew 5:8).
As we seek again Your precepts, then we will walk again in Your liberty. As Your light shines within us, then Your light will shine again through us to the nations of this world. And the same is true every nation. The same is true of every person from every tongue and tribe and nation of this world. In the days to come, the nations of this world will be divided by the hand of God according to the faithfulness and obedience of their hearts (Matthew 25:31-46). So in the great gift of liberty You've given us, let us gladly choose from the heart of our nation to stand and walk with You. In Jesus' name I pray, Amen.
Be encouraged today! In the Love of Jesus, Tommy Hays
