1 Shout joyfully to God, all the earth!
2 Sing praises to the glory of God’s name!
Make glorious his praise!
3 Say to God:
“How awesome are your works!
Because of your great strength,
your enemies cringe before you.
4 All the earth worships you,
sings praises to you,
sings praises to your name!” Selah
5 Come and see God’s deeds;
his works for human beings are awesome:
6 He turned the sea into dry land
so they could cross the river on foot.
Right there we rejoiced in him!
7 God rules with power forever;
keeps a good eye on the nations.
So don’t let the rebellious exalt themselves. Selah
8 All you nations, bless our God!
Let the sound of his praise be heard!
9 God preserved us among the living;
he didn’t let our feet slip a bit.
Reflection
Today we celebrate the birthday of our country. 249 years ago on July 2,1776, The Continental Congress voted for independence, and two days later the Declaration of Independence was formally adopted. We are a relatively “new” nation in the overall scheme of things, when compared with Jericho, being one of the oldest continuously inhabited settlements in the world with evidence of humans dating back about 11,000 years! Our history of “freedom” in this country has not been a pretty one and it continues to be tarnished in many ways as there are many freedoms people are not afforded even as we speak. We are in a debate about what our country should look like – people seem to be fearful of it becoming “more colorful” – in ethnicities, in queerness, and in people just generally being who they are and advocating for who others may be.
As we read further than this passage, verse 10 says “But you, God, have tested us- you’ve refined us like silver, trapped us in a net, laid burdens on our back, let other people run right over our heads- we’ve been through fire and water.” As the first verse says, we should shout joyfully to God for all that God has done for us. We claim to trust in God as our money states, but recently it feels like our nation has decided that we are putting our trust in humans as a nation.
Christians are not – nor have they ever been in agreement – about how Christianity should look in practice, and people have used Christianity to control and kill others. I understand why people don’t trust Christians right now – I’m afraid of some Christians! I know people say we just need to pray – yes, we do, but I always have the questions surrounding – I know what I am praying for, and I certainly know what the loudest people in places of power are praying for – and it is not the same thing – as a matter of fact, it could not be further apart in many instances.
So, given these issues, where do we put our trust, and should we even celebrate this country that feels like a huge disappointment right now to many of us? Of course, we continue to praise God and put our trust in the triune God. We continue to put ourselves in places of service to others – to vote, to stand up for what is right, to pray, to do those little things to help others every day, and yes- I think we should celebrate. We continue to learn more about our history – good and bad – celebrate the good things and try to learn from and rectify the bad when we can. We should celebrate the potential that we have as one of the strongest countries in the world to help those in our country and around the world who need us – maybe we can’t directly help everyone but we certainly can partner with others to work on solving issues around the world. If we and other countries are not so caught up in power and are caught up in community, celebrating the things that make us different and unique as God’s children, we could solve many problems. I think that is still our calling as Christians and as Americans.
by Janet Waryck
For Pondering and Prayer
hat can you personally do to help move this country in the direction you think it should go? I am planning to email some people in Congress about current bills on the floor. I would like to get out to protest. I plan to continue to help those in need as I am able and to try to look at all the people in my neighborhood, this country, and around the world as God’s children – even those who I really disagree with and who at times make me feel like I am living in an alternative universe than they are!
Prayer: Dear God, thank you that you have placed us here in this place and time. It is difficult sometimes, but we are so blessed to be in this country and to be able to speak up about you (you don’t need us to speak for you), and for your children. Please give us courage and guidance to do what we can to help others in Jesus’ name. Amen.
