Lessons

Independence Day – The lesson on July 5, 2009 took a break from the Romans study to celebrate Independence Day in America. Psalms 11:1-7 was the scripture reading and most people are familiar with verse 3 “If the foundations be destroyed, what can the righteous do?” This is a sobering passage from scripture when applied to America this fear is not a new. I’m sure many generations past have shared this concern. So why bring it up? When bad things happen we begin to lose our faith in God. The first verse in this chapter speaks to this, Psalms 11:1 says “In the Lord put I my trust: How say ye to my soul, Flee as a bird to your mountain?” Not only does this passage speak to fleeing but verse 2 adds fear to the mix “For, lo, the wicked bend their bow, they make ready their arrow upon the string, that they may privily shoot at the upright in heart.”  (Speeches of Benjamin Franklin) Benjamin Franklin gave a speech to George Washington during the Constitutional Convention on June 28, 1787 that challenged the assembly of representatives to encourage prayer for requesting God’s guidance on the government. Liberty has to be based on religious and moral values. Who gave us the foundations that we have? Man or God? If we say man, then we look to government for the greatest presentation that man has to offer. If we say God, then our foundations are life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. LIfe is the premier foundation given to us by God. Genesis 2:7 says “And the Lord God formed man of the dust of the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; and man became a living soul.” Further, in John 1:3-4 it says “ All things were made by him; and without him was not any thing made that was made. In him was life; and the life was the light of men.”