CITIZENS OF A HEAVENLY KINGDOM

For our citizenship is in heaven, from which also we eagerly wait for a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ. Philippians 3:20

The United States of America has been shown great favor by the Sovereign Creator of this world and all life upon it. The Declaration of Independence boldly states: “We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty, and the pursuit of Happiness—That to secure these rights, Governments are instituted among Men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed, that whenever any Form of Government becomes destructive of these ends, it is the Right of the People to alter or to abolish it, and to institute new Government, laying its foundation on such principles…to effect their Safety and Happiness.”

As we celebrate the historic independence of the thirteen American colonies from the British Empire, we should truly thank God for providentially giving us such a free and prosperous nation for the last 250 years. While we give thanks for our earthly home, we must recognize that this may be the country in which we live, but it is not the ultimate kingdom in which we trust. Like the Judeans of Jeremiah’s day (29:4-7), we are currently displaced from our true home in heaven. In this intervening time, we seek the welfare of the USA and pray that our country continues to provide us with peace.

“Thus says Yahweh of hosts, the God of Israel, to all the exiles whom I have sent into exile from Jerusalem to Babylon…‘Seek the peace of the city where I have sent you into exile, and pray to Yahweh on its behalf; for in its peace you will have peace’” (Jeremiah 29:4, 7).

Ethan Kallberg