4th Of July - Independence Day Devotion

2025.07.04 Sermon Notes: 4TH OF JULY - INDEPENDENCE DAY DEVOTION

William Akehurst, HSWC

BIG IDEA: Our Independence Day Is Only Possible Through Our Dependence on God.

Our Independence Requires Our Dependence on Christ.

Our Declaration of Dependence is... “IN GOD WE TRUST.”

SCRIPTURES: Psalm 33:12, Psalm 33:10-22, Proverbs 3:5-6

KEY VERSE: Psalm 33:12 “Blessed is the nation whose God is the LORD, The people He has chosen as His own inheritance.”

SCRIPTURE READING:

Psalms 33:12 Blessed is the nation whose God is the LORD, The people HE has chosen as HIS own inheritance.

Psalms 33:10-22

10 The LORD brings the counsel of the nations to nothing; He makes the plans of the peoples of no effect.

11 The counsel of the LORD stands forever, the plans of His heart to all generations.

12 Blessed is the nation whose God is the LORD, the people He has chosen as His own inheritance.

13 The LORD looks from heaven; He sees all the sons of men.

14 From the place of His dwelling He looks on all the inhabitants of the earth;

15 He fashions their hearts individually; He considers all their works.

16 No king is saved by the multitude of an army; A mighty man is not delivered by great strength.

17 A horse is a vain hope for safety; Neither shall it deliver any by its great strength.

18 Behold, the eye of the LORD is on those who fear Him, on those who hope in His mercy, 19 To deliver their soul from death, and to keep them alive in famine.

20 Our soul waits for the LORD; He is our help and our shield.

21 For our heart shall rejoice in Him, Because we have trusted in His holy name.

22 Let Your mercy, O LORD, be upon us, Just as we hope in You.

Proverbs 3:5-6

5 Trust in the LORD with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding;

6 In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct your paths.

REFLECTION:

Yesterday, our nation celebrated Independence Day, a time to reflect on the freedoms we enjoy.

But let us not forget a vital truth—true freedom is found only in Christ.

While we honor our history and the sacrifices made for liberty, we must also recognize that lasting freedom does not come through human strength, political might, or military power.

Psalm 33:16-17 reminds us:

“No king is saved by the multitude of an army… a horse is a vain hope for safety…”

Rather, “the eye of the LORD is on those who fear Him, on those who hope in His mercy.” (v.18)

As “We, the people”, may we recommit to being a nation under God, a people who trust not in ourselves but in His name, His mercy, and His guidance.

Let us be a people who live out Proverbs 3:5-6:

“Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct your paths.”

DECLARATION OF FAITH:

The United States’ “In God We Trust” is more than a motto-it is a confession of faith.

Our national independence is sustained only by our spiritual dependence on the Lord.

LET US NEVER FORGET: “Blessed is the nation whose God is the LORD.” (Psalm 33:12)

Our Declaration of Dependence is..."IN GOD WE TRUST!"

My Declaration of Dependence ..."IN GOD I WILL TRUST!"

Personal Response

Prayer:

FATHER GOD,

I need YOU in every area of my life. Take my life and let it be fully consecrated to THEE.

I place my trust IN YOU alone. Glory and honor belong to YOU, and I am grateful for YOUR love, mercy, and grace, for my forgiveness finished at the cross, and for the cleansing power of the Blood shed for me. I believe it, receive it, and declare it all from YOU to me,

In JESUS’ Name, Amen.

Be Blessed and Be a Blessing,

Bill