Sabbath Thought - July 4th and Spiritual Israel

This coming Monday will mark the 246th anniversary of the founding of the United States of America.  By the time July 4, 1776 rolled around, tensions between Britain and the American colonies had reached an all-time high.  The British increasingly saw the Colonists as spoiled children in one of the richest colonies who increasingly resented paying their fair share.  The Colonists, by way of contrast, saw Britain as increasingly demanding and requiring the American colonies to support and pay for wars they had no stake in and a government they had no say in.

Cooler heads on both sides tried to mediate compromises in the years leading up to 1776, but Britain and the American colonies were destined to separate.  On July 2, 1776, the Continental Congress voted to approve a Virginia motion calling for separation from Britain. The dramatic words of this resolution were added to the closing of the Declaration of Independence.  Two days later, on July 4, the declaration was formally adopted by 12 colonies after minor revision. New York approved it on July 19. On August 2, the declaration was signed by the balance of the states.

As clearly as we can see God's hand in the founding of this nation, we see He has a greater purpose, building His family (Hebrews 2:10).  The vehicle He has used for the last two thousand years to that purpose is His Church - through which we now have citizenship in another country - His Heavenly Kingdom.  We are now representatives of God's country and function as Ambassadors of His Kingdom (2 Corinthians 5:20).  An Ambassador does not get involved in the politics of the country he is a guest in - he represents the government of his native country.  As we are now citizens of God's Kingdom, we are to be representatives of His way of life, His laws, His instruction, and His plan of salvation.  While we are not fighting a revolution, we are teaching revolutionary thoughts.  Those who don't understand God's way of life see us as a threat to them.

The faithful to God down through time have always seen the need to sacrifice for God's calling.  It has been an easier journey for some, and it has been a hard calling for some - but He has promised blessings to us all (Matthew 19:27-29).  Whatever we might lose, we do so to gain Christ (Philippians 3:8).  God has promised to be faithful to us, to bless us and to one day welcome us into His very family (Malachi 3:10).  For us to prove God, we must put His instruction into practice.  He promises to bless us if we do.

Unlike physical nations, God's Kingdom will not start off strong and fade over time to be replaced by something else.  Unlike physical nations God's Kingdom will not have internal strife.  Unlike physical nations that Kingdom will not replace God's laws for desires to indulge our own passions.  Unlike physical nations God's Kingdom will not get bogged down in politics or bureaucracy.  God's Kingdom will grow - not through bloated ineptness, but through the application of the love of God that will give such peace in life that people will have the environment to truly flourish (Isaiah 9:6-7).

While we can be thankful for living in a country that has been so blessed by God, we know those blessings will not continue in the mounting rejection of God's instruction.  We have God's Sabbath day to not only rest physically and spiritually, but also to be reminded of the nation - the kingdom - He is founding and the role we will have in all of mankind having access to the Kingdom one day.  As we reflect upon the founding of this country, let us remember that we are already citizens of God's Kingdom and the true peace He will one day bring to all of mankind.

I wish you a spiritually restful Sabbath,

Dan Dowd

1 July, 2022