Morning by Morning, July 2 - Learning from Our Past and Growing into Our Destiny as “One Nation, Under God”
Good morning, Lord Jesus. I bow my knees before my God and stand to my feet to face the flag of the nation where You’ve called me to live. “(You) made from one man every nation of mankind to live on all the face of the earth, having determined allotted periods and the boundaries of their dwelling place, that they should seek God....” (Acts 17:26-27). ...
For every human and the heart of every nation, You call us to honor what is good and to change what is wrong. You call us to learn from our past without denying the truth of our past -- whether what is to be honored or what is to be changed. And on our journey to grow up into maturity, we’re to humbly acknowledge that “all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God” (Romans 3:23), as we turn to You to forgive us and free us, affirming what is right and changing what is wrong, secure in our identity and fulfilling our destiny, receiving “grace upon grace” (John 1:16) and being changed into a people of Your character “from glory to glory” (2 Corinthians 3:18).
As we come to the day we honor the birth of our nation and remember those who have fought and died to keep her free -- learning from our mistakes, repenting for our sins, while affirming what is good and right and true -- I’m remembering the words of an old hymn that speaks of Your truth and Your glory being revealed in our nation, even through its most desperate and painful days. It’s called “The Battle Hymn of the Republic.”
Mine eyes have seen the glory of the coming of the Lord;
He is trampling out the vintage where the grapes of wrath are stored;
He hath loosed the fateful lightning of His terrible swift sword;
His truth is marching on.
Glory, glory, hallelujah!
Glory, glory, hallelujah!
Glory, glory, hallelujah!
His truth is marching on.
He has sounded forth the trumpet that shall never call retreat;
He is sifting out the hearts of men before His judgment seat;
Oh, be swift, my soul, to answer Him; be jubilant, my feet!
Our God is marching on.
In the beauty of the lilies Christ was born across the sea,
With a glory in His bosom that transfigures you and me:
As He died to make men holy, let us live to make men free;
While God is marching on.
He is coming like the glory of the morning on the wave,
He is wisdom to the mighty, He is honor to the brave;
So the world shall be His footstool, and His faithful He shall save;
Our God is marching on.
Glory, glory, hallelujah!
Glory, glory, hallelujah!
Glory, glory, hallelujah!
His truth is marching on!”
-- “Battle Hymn of the Republic” by Julia Ward Howe
Lord Jesus, You “died to make men holy, let us live to make men free.” You’re “sifting out the hearts of men before (Your) judgment seat.” And You’ve “sounded forth the trumpet that shall never call retreat.” So in the freedom of religion and freedom of speech that I have under the Constitution of this nation that I love, I join an indivisible, undivided heart with all who will honor all You’ve entrusted to us and all we seek to become -- “One nation, under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all.” In Jesus’ name I pray. Amen.
Be encouraged today! In the Love of Jesus, Tommy Hays
My friend, may you grow from grace to grace and be changed from glory to glory, in your heart and in your nation, as you learn from the past and honor what is good, secure in your true identity and living into the fullness of your destiny, in Jesus' name. Please pray the same for me. God bless you, my friend!
Tommy & Rocio Hays
Messiah Ministries
412 S. Adams Street #148
Fredericksburg, Texas 78624
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