Scriptures to contemplate…

“The counsel of the Lord stands forever, the plans of His heart to all generations. Blessed is the nation whose God is the Lord, the people He has chosen as His own inheritance.” Psalm 33:11-12

“This is My commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you. Greater love has no one than this, than to lay down one’s life for his friends. You are My friends if you do whatever I command you.” John 15:12-14

“By this we know love, because He laid down His life for us. And we also ought to lay down our lives for the brethren. But whoever has this world’s goods, and sees his brother in need, and shuts up his heart from him, how does the love of God abide in him?” 1 John 3:16-17

“For You, O Lord, will bless the righteous; With favor You will surround him as with a shield.” Psalm 5:12

“The Lord is my rock and my fortress and my deliverer; My God, my strength, in whom I will trust; My shield and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold.” Psalm 18:2

“Righteousness exalts a nation, but sin is a reproach to any people.” Proverbs 14:34

“But now I come to You, and these things I speak in the world, that they may have My joy fulfilled in themselves. I have given them Your word; and the world has hated them because they are not of the world, just as I am not of the world. I do not pray that You should take them out of the world, but that You should keep them from the evil one. They are not of the world, just as I am not of the world. Sanctify them by Your truth. Your word is truth. As You sent Me into the world, I also have sent them into the world. And for their sakes I sanctify Myself, that they also may be sanctified by the truth.” John 17:13-19

“The Lord is my strength and my shield; My heart trusted in Him, and I am helped; Therefore my heart greatly rejoices, And with my song I will praise Him.” Psalm 28:7

“For the Lord God is a sun and shield; The Lord will give grace and glory; No good thing will He withhold from those who walk uprightly.” Psalm 84:11

“He shall cover you with His feathers, And under His wings you shall take refuge; His truth shall be your shield and buckler.” Psalm 91:4

So that freedom could be maintained, many in our military gave their all. In the various historic conflicts, they answered their country’s call.

They went forth to be a protective shield, against evil from taking hold. Today, in America, we must stand, too, for truth, being brave and bold.

“Blessed is the nation whose God is the Lord”–He is our strong shield. In God we trust, and thereby prosper, as our country’s history has revealed.

At this time of independence, we still stand firm with Jesus Christ, the King. He is our sun and shield, no matter what opposing voices try to bring.

P. A. Oltrogge

For a most encouraging message, “America, Remember Your Covenant,” see the latest service from July 2, at http://www.emic.org

As always, a great message is posted today at http://www.givehim15.com

We pray for all believers, especially those in countries where severe persecution for their faith in Christ is occurring. See http://www.aclj.org

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