Freedom's Fireworks

An Independence Day Devotional

The earliest memories I have of the Fourth of July, Independence Day, are of sitting on a grassy hill with my grandparents, licking a See's caramel lollipop, and watching the fireworks display. To my four-year-old eyes it was all quite amazing.

Fireworks used to be a sign of great rejoicing at some great victory or deliverance from some despotic oppressor. If the Israelites had possessed fireworks certainly they would have been a part of Miriam's celebration of Israel's escape through the Red Sea and God's destruction of the Egyptian army, or to celebrate the long awaited birth of Abraham's son Isaac, or perhaps the routing of the Philistine army after David's duel with Goliath. It's not a stretch for me to imagine that there are fireworks in heaven every time a sinner responds in faith to the gospel message (Luke 15:10), or to hear the angelic victory shout when a Christian overcomes some temptation to walk in willing obedience.

It is an oppressed man's burning desire for freedom that makes him willing to sacrifice everything to obtain it, if not for himself then for his family and his countrymen. And when they are finally free they rejoice. However, those who never realize that they live in bondage, desire only their own pleasure, and unknowingly sell their souls for a show. I wonder, if we know too much about what makes a good show but have too little firsthand experience of the joy that comes with true deliverance and freedom.

This year as we celebrate our country's freedom, let us remember that freedom requires sacrifice. Brave men and women established this country's independence at a great personal cost 240 years ago. I don't think we can fully experience the joy of political liberty on Independence Day unless we have lived without it and most of us have not experienced the past and present oppressions under fascist, communist, or Islamist governments. However, we have known the oppression of sin and death working in our lives and families. Yet, we can know a much deeper joy as we are reminded of the great victory and deliverance Jesus has worked in our lives. The very colors of our flag, the red, white, and blue, so prominent during this season can serve to remind us of the freedom we have in Jesus Christ (John 8:36).

Red—Rose red, the color of love, God's love poured out on us in the person of his Son. Sin red, the color of our guilt (Isaiah 1:18). Blood red, the color of the covenant, for Jesus shed his precious blood to purchase our freedom from sin and death if we confess our guilt and repent (1 John 1:9).

White—Pure white, the color of innocence. Through Jesus' death on the cross we have been washed whiter than snow. We have been justified by faith in our Lord Jesus Christ. We can now stand before God, white and clean, just as if we had never sinned.

Blue—True blue, the color of undying loyalty reminds us of God's faithfulness and of our commitment to Him. Heavenly blue, the color of our eternal hope in Christ. The reminder that we have eternal life to look forward to—no matter what our current circumstances may be.

Rejoicing with the angels,

Pastor Greg

PS. Here is a little cell phone video of fireworks from the Hillsboro Hops home opener 2016!