This summer marks America’s 250th Birthday celebration as the United States of America. Ironically, our nation stands divided over which rival organization, America250 or Freedom250, headlines ‘The Rockets’ Red Glare’ concert party.
Let the fireworks begin!
July 4, 1776, is Independence Day. The words which became our National Anthem were penned on the misty dawn of September 14, 1814, as the War of 1812 raged with the outcome still in the balance.
Francis Scott Key was a prisoner on a truce ship in Baltimore Harbor. He stood on the deck with his eyes strained toward the battered silhouette of Fort McHenry. The night before, British cannons had unleashed a relentless barrage, thunder echoing across the water, flames illuminating the sky.
Imprisoned by circumstance, Key was powerless to aid his countrymen, his heart heavy with dread for the fate of the fort and the nation. Yet as the morning sun crept over the horizon, the smoke cleared, revealing a miracle: the grand, tattered American flag still flying above Fort McHenry.
The sight struck Key with a surge of profound relief, hope, and pride. In that moment, the fortitude of the defenders, the resilience of the flag, and the promise of the young republic ignited his soul.
Fueled by the emotion of that hope on the horizon, Key seized a scrap of paper and began to write. Words poured from his pen—a question, a celebration, a testament to hope: “O say can you see, by the dawn’s early light…”
“And the rocket’s red glare, the bombs bursting in air,
Gave proof through the night that our flag was still there;
Oh, say does that star-spangled banner yet wave
O’er the land of the free and the home of the brave?
With each verse, he captured the awe of survival, the gratitude for freedom, and the enduring spirit of hope for a nation under siege but unbroken.
Yes, the stirring anthem known as The Star-Spangled Banner was born in a heart-experience of a night of darkness and a dawn of glory.
Let our hearts be truly thankful for our God-given freedom, but do not rest there.
Let every picture and sound of this American birthday celebration remind us of where we stand spiritually with the eyes of our faith fixed, not on our nation’s freedom but on the flag of our everlasting Hope.
We are standing as prisoners on this world’s ship anchored in a hostile harbor. The battle sounds are terrifying. The rockets’ red glare highlights the bombs bursting in air.
This world is destroying itself as kingdoms rage against kingdoms, people against people. Hate and Hurt fly their flags over every household. The darkness is suffocating; the clouds on the horizon appear fearfully dreadful.
How can anyone survive this coming catastrophe? Do we surrender to the chains of this ungodly culture? Do we sign a worldly compromise sealed with silent lips and closed eyes?
The truly victorious Kingdom is established. The flag is flying. It will never fall; but it is opposed. Our part is to stand true with a sure hope until the dawn.
What is it about Jesus that stabilizes our hearts during the darkest circumstances of life?
Jesus pointed to his cross as our flag and said, “Father, glorify your Name.” Then the heavens roared with affirmation of the victory. The onlooking crowd thought they heard the heavens thunder. Then Jesus made a promise of victory to all His followers, “When I am lifted up, I will draw all men to myself” (John 12:27-32).
Jesus spoke words of exhortation to all His followers engaged in their cultural wars. “Look at the dawn’s early light…Trust in that light” (John 12:35-36).
Jesus won the War for our Souls with his UNDYING LOVE.
In the dawn’s morning light, the Coming King will stand as the banner of Hope for our salvation…He will raise a flag for His people among all the nations, and His place of rest will be glorious (literally, glory) (Isaiah 11:10).
Is that the power of hope that keeps your heart alive? Here is the place to lay down all your fears, all your anxieties, all your pessimism. Here is the place to pick up your banner of hope and courage.
His kingdom wins. If you do not feel that hope, keep looking. The cross of undying love is still there. It will wave forever; it marks the future home of the free and the brave.
It surpasses the heart-moving scenes of America’s flag at Fort McKinley or on the hill of Iwo Jima or any gold medal ceremony of the Olympic Games.
The flag of our Hope stands on full display throughout the four gospels about Jesus. Every word in the #1 Textbook calls attention to that flag of undying love. The victory banner flies for the eyes of every trusting soul. Jesus forever lives as the King of Glory.
Keep your eyes on Jesus. He is the source of our faith. He endured the cross because of the future joy for Him and for you…Think of this so you will not get tired and give up (Hebrews 12:2-3).
EYES UP!
Oh, say can you see the undying love of Jesus on the cross?
The earthly skies are darkened by his death, the dawn’s morning light shines with the hope of his resurrection. Every morning since that day, God has raised the flag of hope with the morning sun.
The war is not over, but the victory has been won.
Undying love has won the war. Our flag is still there. Hope is alive.
Trust God. You can never trust him too often or too much. You can never celebrate his victory too often or too much. In fact, the best time to stand and sing the anthem of hope is now.
Our celebration will outlast America’s 250th freedom celebration by endless ages upon endless ages.
[If you are able to stand, please rise as the flag is raised and the anthem played. If you are unable to physically stand where you are now, then please rise in your heart and join in with your voice.]
Awake, my soul and sing
Of Him Who died for thee,
And hail Him as thy matchless King
Through all eternity.
Crown Him the Lord of life!
Who triumphed o’er the grave,
Who rose victorious in the strife
For those He came to save.
His glories now we sing,
Who died, and rose on high,
Who died eternal life to bring,
And lives that death may die.
Crown Him with many crowns,
The Lamb upon His throne;
Hark! How the heav’nly anthem drowns
All music but its own!
Awake, my soul and sing
Of Him Who died for thee,
And hail Him as thy matchless King
Through all eternity.
(Crown Him with Many Crowns—Matthew Bridges)
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