Freedom’s Foundation
Freedom’s foundation is God’s Word, shaping our nation through faith, sacrifice, and divine wisdom
As we celebrate our nation’s 249th birthday, we honor the countless soldiers who sacrificed their lives so that we might be free. We are truly blessed to live in a country that is considered the greatest nation on Earth, and today, I’d like to explore our foundation.
The Cornerstone of Our Nation
Throughout my life, I’ve enjoyed being part of many construction projects. I love to swing a hammer, and I enjoy watching buildings take shape. The smell of fresh lumber brings back so many memories of being on job sites with a sandwich packed in a lunch pail and Gatorade waiting in a tall orange Igloo cooler. Over the years, no matter what kind of building was laid out on the blueprint, the process always began with a solid foundation. The same principle applies to the founding of a nation. If a foreigner were to ask what principles our country was built upon, someone might point them to our Constitution. But the truth is, on July 4, 1776, our country was founded upon God’s Word.
We’ve been privileged to tour the Capitol building in Washington, D.C. In that building, and many others in the area, there are countless references to Scripture. In the Senate chamber, there are beautiful carvings of Moses holding the Ten Commandments, overlooking the Senate floor. It’s wonderful to know the Ten Commandments greatly influenced the content of our laws. George Washington once said, “It is the duty of all nations to acknowledge the providence of Almighty God, to obey His will, to be grateful for His benefits, and humbly to implore His protection and favor.” Harry S. Truman, our 33rd President, said, “The fundamental basis of this nation’s laws was given to Moses on the Mount. The fundamental basis of our Bill of Rights comes from the teachings we get from Exodus, Saint Matthew, Isaiah, and Saint Paul. If we don’t have a proper fundamental moral background, we will finally end up with a totalitarian government which does not believe in the rights for anybody except the State.”
Built On The Word
Throughout the years, our nation has been strong because God’s Word has been cherished. In the little school I attended, we recited the Pledge of Allegiance every morning and also quoted the Lord’s Prayer. One year, all of us students sold pictures to raise money for the school. After we turned in our money, the public school rewarded our efforts. What was our reward? A brand new King James Bible.
Our founding fathers saw the need for Divine guidance. They fully recognized scriptures like Jeremiah 10:23: “O Lord, I know that the way of man is not in himself: it is not in man that walketh to direct his steps.” That’s why these men looked to the Lord for His wisdom and direction. They understood the reality of verses like Psalm 9:17: “The wicked shall be turned into hell, and all the nations that forget God.”
Sadly, our history books are being rewritten so our children won’t have proper knowledge of our nation’s Biblical founding. But no matter how some may try to misrepresent what happened on July 4, 1776, thankfully, we as Christians know the truth. God-fearing men gathered together in one room with one purpose. They came from many different places and backgrounds, but each one had a desire to build a free nation—a nation built on the Truth. So, when we look at the foundation of our freedom, yes, we see the Constitution. But when we take a closer look at freedom’s foundation, we see our country built upon a tear-stained, King James Bible that tells of an old rugged cross, three rusty nails, and the precious blood of Jesus.
Eleven years after the birth of our nation, hymn writer John Rippon said it best:
“How firm a foundation, ye saints of the Lord,
Is laid for your faith in God’s excellent Word!”
Have a safe and blessed Independence Day!