“God has anointed you with the oil of gladness.” Psalm 45:7
Dear Redeemer Family:
This month we celebrate the 250th Anniversary of the “American Experiment.” And that should be an example of the “oil of gladness.” I do believe that God did have a hand in the creation of our country. After all, our ragtag colonial predecessors managed to break off from the strongest empire of its time, against literally overwhelming odds. That seems to indicate some divine intervention to me. That all began in the year 1776.
The leaders then formed a new form of government, basically unique in the European view of governance. And the, up until then, fairly independently operating thirteen separate colonies agreed to follow the Constitution which they came up with. That was in 1789.
Of course, there was the proviso of the adding of Amendments to the Constitution. Amazingly, there have only been 27 Amendments made to the United States Constitution since its acceptance. And the first 10, the Bill of Rights, which was pretty well agreed to before the whole process was started, was accepted in the year 1791. Of the remaining 17 Amendments, the 21st is there to repeal the 18th, ending something called Prohibition. So, those two don’t really count as they cancel each other out. So, we have really added to that document 15 times in over two centuries! We have agreed to abide by it as a means of governance for that long with so few changes! That would seem to make it an inspired document, perhaps even divinely inspired? Yes, that also would seem to be part of that “oil of gladness.”
It is a time to celebrate indeed as we remember our 250 years of God’s blessings. It is time to give thanks for the blessings received. It is a time to appreciate our anointing and share the gladness. So, we will offer up our prayers of thanks, promise to continue as God leads, and in the great American tradition, probably BBQ. There will be fireworks in the works as we celebrate, for we have been indeed blessed as a nation. But don’t set off too many fireworks. Evidently, they hurt my granddaughter’s ears. She does like the colors though. Have a happy Fourth of July!
God’s blessings to all! And remember those blessings!
Pastor Rose