July 4th, Independence Day – We are celebrating the birth of this one nation under God, independence from the British throne. The founding fathers in turn wrote a remarkable plan of government in 1787, the United States Constitution. The great work not only gave the United States status as a nation, it established the supreme law of the land. Interestingly, John Adams, the second president of these United States put that great work in perspective by saying, “Our Constitution was made only for a moral and religious people. It is wholly inadequate to the government of any other.”
There is the supreme law of the land and then there is the Law that undergirds that law. As dads we must lead the way in living the Law and walking in the relationship He calls us to through that Law.
The Word on LAW is: “Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength. … Love your neighbor as yourself.” – Mark 12:30-31
- Jesus summarized the Law as given to Moses and documented for us in Exodus 20:1-17. The Law is a call to relationship – our relationship with God (the first four commandments) and how we reflect that relationship in the world (the last five commandments). John Adams was keenly aware that our constitution, our government, our nation depends on each of us understanding our spiritual relationship with our Lord and reflecting that relationship physically in family, the Church and the community.
Prayer guide: Lord, thank You for the blessing of being born in and growing up in this one nation under You. I confess I have fallen short as a Law-abiding man. My home, church and community all reflect the confusion the devil has stirred up in my life around the significance of relationship. I pray You will rebuke the devil’s schemes that have distracted my focus on You, on Your call for me to grow in a personal and passionate relationship with You and to reflect that relationship in marriage and beyond. Strengthen me as a Law-abiding man, husband and father to firm up the foundation that our founding fathers laid by Your grace and for Your glory. Amen.
A faithful father is a Law-abiding citizen for the Kingdom in this world.
