Is it nothing to you, all you who pass by? Behold and see if there is any sorrow like my sorrow, which has been brought on me, which the LORD has inflicted on me in the day of His fierce anger. --- Lamentations 1:12
It's a day which traditionally is supposed to be given to celebrating our independence when a small number of colonies broke free of domination by the king of England in the latter part of the 18th Century. Out of that conflict a republic was born with a heavy emphasis on freedom -- certain basic privileges such as freedom to assemble, to speak, to publish, and to worship along with other benefits as expressed in a document known as the United States Constitution.
BUT times have drastically changed as our republic observes its 231st birthday. Only a fool would deny that we have become bogged down in a spiritual, moral, and ethical quagmire from which we are unable to free ouselves!
As we ignite our fireworks and engage in our party activities, will we ignore the reality of the fact that we are now demonstrating before the world that we have become a 21st Century version of the ancient cities of Sodom and Gomorrah?
Our obcessive shedding of innocent blood, deeply intrenched idolatry, wide open acceptance of sexual immorality in all detestable forms, corruption of our young by teaching and example, and lukewarm religion which refuses to take God's special revelation seriously are taking us to a destiny which our human minds are incapable of comprehending when it comes to God's future response to all these abominations!
So as you watch the displays of fireworks, whether in your back yard or in some public setting, remember 2 things -- first, after the colorful displays have ended, all that is now left are burned out tubes and ashes, and second, do you care enough about the growing corruption of our beloved republic to do some serious confessing and praying?
"Her priests have violated My law and profaned My holy things; they have not distinguished between the holy and unholy, nor have they made known the difference between the unclean and the clean; and they have hidden their eyes from My Sabbaths, so that I am profaned among them. Her princes in her midst are like wolves tearing the prey, to shed blood, to destroy people, and to get dishonest gain. Her prophets plastered them with untempered mortar, seeing false visions, and divining lies for them, saying, 'Thus says the Lord GOD,' when the LORD had not spoken. The people of the land have used oppressions, committed robbery, and mistreated the poor and needy; and they wrongfully oppress the stranger. So I sought for a man among them who would make a wall, and stand in the gap before Me on behalf of the land, that I should not destroy it; but I found no one. Therefore I have poured out My indignation on them; I have consumed them with the fire of My wrath; and I have recompensed their deeds on their own heads," says the Lord GOD. --- Ezekiel 22:26-31
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