With Liberty and Justice For All

As we celebrate our nation's independence my mind goes back to our visit to Washington D.C. and Virginia last spring.  We were humbled as we visited historical sites honoring George Washington, James Madison, and many other founding fathers, as well as civil war battlefields.  We were reminded of the high price they and so many have paid to make it possible for us to enjoy the freedoms we have.   Our nation's founders had a profound respect for God and His Word.  Their sense of "liberty and justice for all" was based upon their respect for God and His truth found in Scripture.

Sadly, we live at a time in which true liberty and justice is under attack in our nation.  Many of us grew up reciting the pledge of allegiance each morning as we began our school day.  It's embedded in my memory.  "I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the republic for which it stands , one nation, under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all."  There are leaders in our nation who are seeking to divide us instead of unite us , who are not respecting the God of the Bible and who are implementing policies contrary to God's truth so that we are quickly becoming a nation that is no longer a nation "under God".  We are being divided and our God given liberties and freedoms are being lost and when that happens justice for all no longer will prevail.  

This is not a new problem.  When the nation of Israel had departed from the Lord, Isaiah wrote "So justice is driven back, and righteousness stands at a distance; truth has stumbled in the streets, honesty cannot enter. Truth is nowhere to be found, and whoever shuns evil becomes a prey.  The LORD looked and was displeased that there was no justice." (Is. 59:14-15)  In the next verse we read that the LORD saw and was appalled "that there was no one to intervene".  He was looking for godly people to act under His direction and by His power, through whom He could work.  He is looking for those who can intervene for Him today and begin making a difference where He places them.
 
How can we intervene?  May I make several suggestions?
1.  Pray God will raise up men and women of courage and integrity
     to lead and stand for the truth no matter the cost.  
2. Pray God binds the demonic powers being unleashed in our 
     nation and that the Spirit of the LORD will raise up a standard
     against the enemy (Satan and his demons) through those who 
     love and know the Lord Jesus as their Savior. 
 3. Pray believers in Christ will be set free from the bondage of sin
     and will choose to live and walk in the freedom of Christ, and
     experience His power and peace in their daily lives and proclaim
     the gospel and freedom through Christ. 
4. Continue to make a difference where God has placed you by 
     getting involved in lovingly upholding God truth and being
     obedient to Him in your daily life.  

Isaiah concludes this chapter with the promise of the Lord's return (v.20).  Unltimately when He comes and establishes His Kingdom, truth, righteousness, liberty and justice will prevail.  Until then we are to make a difference where we are.