Freedom!

A little over a week ago, our nation celebrated our freedom on Independence Day in what the song-writer called "the sweet land of liberty".  But we know that freedom is never "free".  Our forefathers fought and obtained it for us at a tremendous cost, and we have a responsibility to preserve it.
The Apostle Paul said in I Peter 2:16 -- "As free, and not using your liberty for a cloke of maliciousness, but as the servants of God."  So even though we are free and have liberty, we are still the servants of God.
Romans 6:18 says -- "Being then made free from sin, ye became the servants of righteousness."  Praise the Lord!  What a privilege to love and serve our wonderful Saviour!
Jeremiah 4:2 says -- "The Lord liveth, in truth, in judgment, and in righteousness; and the nations shall bless themselves in Him, and in Him shall they glory."

Thank you, Heavenly Father, for the freedoms we enjoy as a nation; but thank you most of all for the glorious freedom we have in Christ, our blessed Redeemer and soon coming King!  And as we look to the coming Lord's Day if Jesus tarries, let us keep our hearts rejoicing as we meditate upon these beautiful words by Haldor Lillenas:

     "Freedom from fear with all of its torments;
Freedom from care with all of its pain;
      Freedom in Christ, my blessed Redeemer --
He who has rent my fetters in twain.

      Glorious freedom!  Wonderful freedom!
No more in chains of sin I repine!
      Jesus, the glorious Emancipator --
Now and for ever -- He shall be mine!"