Is Independence Day a Religious Holiday?

Q: Is Independence Day a religious holiday? — C.E.

A: The Fourth of July marks the day that the United States declared itself an independent nation. America has probably been the most successful experiment in history. It was built on a religious foundation.

The Bible has a lot to say about the nations of the world. “Come here and listen, O nations of the earth. Let the world and everything in it hear my words” (Isaiah 34:1, NLT).

America’s earliest concepts came from Holy Scripture, and God honored and blessed this country because it lifted up the Word of God in the home and in the government. God’s Word is engraved on buildings and printed on our money. We should thank God every day for America the beautiful!

This nation has a rich heritage of faith in God; however, it has taken some dangerous turns. America is said to have the highest per capita boredom on earth! We know that because we have the greatest variety and number of artificial amusements of any country.

The secret strength of a nation is not found in entertainment and ease of life; it is found in having faith in God that abides in the hearts and homes of its people. The early settlers of this country had vision and hope in God. They lived in the dimension of eternity. Their strength of spirit was forged by a personal faith in God, by tough discipline and by regular habits of devotion to Him.

Our nation grew strong in an era when moral standards were emphasized, and it will grow weaker as we condone that which we once condemned. Our government, families, churches and neighborhoods need to humble themselves and seek Almighty God.

“Give thanks to the Lord! Call upon His name; make known His deeds among the peoples … talk of all His wondrous works” (1 Chronicles 16:8-9).

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(This column is based on the words and writings of the late Rev. Billy Graham.)

(c)2019 BILLY GRAHAM DISTRIBUTED BY TRIBUNE MEDIA SERVICES, INC.