Sunday, July 4, 2021 - Day 185 (Through the Bible in a year readings for today: Job 29,30; Acts 12)
MAXIMUM SECURITY IN CHRIST
1 About that time Herod the king laid violent hands on some who belonged to the church. 2 He killed James the brother of John with the sword, 3 and when he saw that it pleased the Jews, he proceeded to arrest Peter also... 4 And when he had seized him, he put him in prison, delivering him over to four squads of soldiers to guard him,... 5 So Peter was kept in prison, but earnest prayer for him was made to God by the church... 7 And behold, an angel of the Lord stood next to him, and a light shone in the cell... And the chains fell off his hands... 10 When they had passed the first and the second guard, they came to the iron gate leading into the city. It opened for them of its own accord, and they went out and went along one street, and immediately the angel left him. (Acts 12:1-10 ESV)
King Herod thought that he had placed Peter into maximum security. What he did not understand is the eternal truth that maximum security is found only in Christ Jesus, our Savior.
On this 4th of July, we Americans need to remember that our nation’s maximum security is not based on human power. Patrick Henry, one of our nation’s founding fathers, put it this way: "It cannot be emphasized too strongly or too often that this great nation was founded not by religionists, but by Christians - not on religions, but on the Gospel of Jesus Christ."
So, let us not be shy about praying for America...
1. God bless our native land;
Firm may she ever stand
Through storm and night.
When the wild tempests rave,
Ruler of wind and wave,
Do Thou our country save
By Thy great might.
2. So shall our prayers arise
To God above the skies;
On Him we wait.
Thou who art ever nigh,
Guarding with watchful eye,
To Thee aloud we cry:
God save the state!
(God Bless Our Native Land, Lutheran Service Book, #965)
The good news of Jesus Christ and His free gift of salvation is at the heart of our prayer for America and the whole world!
Heavenly Father, thank You for the spiritual security that Jesus has purchased for us on the cross. Please hear our prayer for the spiritual healing of America. May many more of our fellow citizens be led to the same conclusion as Patrick Henry and find their maximum security in Christ. In His saving name. Amen.
Pastor David Paape
Daily Bible Reading Chart covering the entire Bible in one year.
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