This week’s devotions are based on Week 4 of Confessing Christ in a Confused World (WATCH HERE)
Philippians 3:20 “But our citizenship is in heaven. And we eagerly await a Savior from there, the Lord Jesus Christ.”
This week our nation celebrates a remarkable milestone. For 250 years, the United States has existed as a nation. Throughout those years, generations of Americans have sacrificed, worked, worshiped, raised families, defended freedom, and prayed that God would continue to bless this land. It is fitting for us to pause and thank God for the many blessings He has poured out on our country.
We thank Him for the freedom to gather for worship without fear. We thank Him for opportunities to share the Gospel openly. We thank Him for those who have faithfully served in government, the military, emergency services, schools, and countless other vocations that benefit our neighbors. Every good gift ultimately comes from the gracious hand of our heavenly Father.
As Christians, we should be grateful citizens.
But Scripture also reminds us that we are something even greater.
We are citizens of heaven.
That truth gives us a perspective the world cannot offer.
Throughout history, powerful nations have risen and fallen. Egypt, Babylon, Greece, Rome, and countless others once seemed invincible. Yet every earthly kingdom eventually changes. Borders shift. Leaders come and go. Flags are lowered. History books continue to add new chapters.
The Church built on Jesus Christ, however, continues to endure.
For nearly two thousand years, the Holy Spirit has been quietly doing exactly what Jesus promised He would do. He has called sinners by the Gospel. He has gathered believers into the holy Christian Church. He has enlightened hearts with God’s truth. He has sanctified His people through Word and Sacrament.
Kings have ruled.
Empires have collapsed.
Wars have been fought.
Cultures have changed.
Yet on every continent and in every century, the Holy Spirit has continued gathering people around Jesus Christ.
That is one of the great evidences that the wind of the Spirit is still blowing.
As we celebrate our nation’s birthday, we do so with thankful hearts but also with eternal perspective. Our greatest hope has never rested in Washington, Austin, or any other seat of earthly government. It rests in the throne of the risen Christ.
That perspective also shapes how we live as citizens today.
Some Christians imagine they must choose between loving their country and loving Christ. Scripture never presents that choice. Instead, God’s Word calls us to honor both responsibilities rightly. Peter writes, “Honor everyone. Love the brotherhood of believers. Fear God. Honor the king.” We respect those God has placed in authority. We pray for our leaders. We seek the welfare of the communities where God has placed us. We serve our neighbors with humility and love.
At the same time, we remember that our ultimate allegiance belongs to Christ alone. When earthly values conflict with God’s truth, “we must obey God rather than men.” Our identity is not first found in our nationality but in our Baptism. Through water and the Word, the Holy Spirit has united us to Jesus Christ and made us members of His eternal kingdom.
One day, every national anthem will fall silent.
Every flag will be folded.
Every earthly government will give way to the everlasting reign of Christ.
On that day, believers from every tribe, language, people, and nation will stand together before the throne of the Lamb. There will be no political divisions, no cultural barriers, no national rivalries. There will only be one holy Christian Church, the communion of saints, gathered in perfect joy around our Savior forever.
What a beautiful reminder as we celebrate this Independence Day.
We thank God for the blessings of our nation.
We pray for its future.
We serve our neighbors faithfully.
But above all, we rejoice that through the Holy Spirit we belong to a kingdom that cannot be shaken. Our Savior reigns. Our names are written in heaven. And our true home is waiting for us.
Until that glorious day, may the Holy Spirit continue to call, gather, enlighten, and sanctify His people, so that more hearts may come to know the freedom that is found only in Jesus Christ!
Reflect: In what ways can you faithfully thank God for the blessings of our nation while remembering that your ultimate citizenship is in heaven? How can your life reflect both grateful citizenship on earth and joyful citizenship in Christ’s eternal kingdom?
Prayer: Heavenly Father, thank You for the many blessings You have given our nation throughout its history. We praise You for the freedoms we enjoy and for those who faithfully serve our communities and country. Above all, we thank You for calling us into Your eternal kingdom through the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Keep our hearts loyal to You above all else. Bless our nation with peace, wisdom, justice, and opportunities for the Gospel to be proclaimed freely. Continue to send Your Holy Spirit to call sinners, gather Your Church, enlighten hearts with Your truth, and sanctify Your people until the day we join the great communion of saints before Your throne forever. Through Jesus Christ, our Lord. Amen.