It’s July and America is on the verge of celebrating its 250th year of faith and freedom! Anyone who denies America was founded on Judeo-Christian principles has simply never studied our history. Indeed, faith granted by the grace of God has everything to do with our nation’s heritage. So, let’s spend these days leading up to Independence Day focused on God’s goodness to America.

Recently, President Trump stated that if not for him, Israel would not exist. In response, US Ambassador to Israel, Mike Huckabee, set the record straight by replying that without Israel, there would be no America.

You might think that is quite a reach, but let’s work the equation backwards to get to the truth. First, was America indeed founded on Christian principles? One of the primary reasons the pilgrims boarded ships and risked their lives to journey to a new world and start life afresh was to escape religious tyranny. Rather than being forced to worship in a manner the state dictated, they wanted freedom of worship, and they began the practice even before they reached the shores of America. Once there, virtually everything they did was preceded by prayer and petition to God Almighty in whom they entrusted themselves. Read the history of the early settlers and you will find devout faith, and trust in God as their sustaining strength.

Some argue that Christian values had nothing to do with the establishment of our Declaration of Independence and Constitution. Yet, our founders were men who sought the face of God as they molded and shaped our governing documents. Of the 56 men who signed the Declaration of Independence, at least 24 held seminary or Bible college degrees, and almost all had clearly stated belief in God. History records quotes from an astounding number of founding fathers, including those who did not even profess faith in Christ but referenced a Divine Being and His providential guidance in our nation’s founding. There are thousands. Here are a few:

Secondly, since America was founded on Christian principles, where did those principles originate, and to what God were those men praying? The only God capable of relationship with His creation is the God of Creation Himself! The One who created the earth and everything in it (Nehemiah 9:6, Acts 17:24) also created mankind in His image and likeness (Genesis 1:27), then gave His life for us so we can live with Him forever. (John 3:16, Revelation 3:20)! The God who relates to us also guides us.

And who is the One to whom our founding fathers prayed and worshipped? None other than Jesus the Jewish Messiah, born in Bethlehem. The Bible is centered around Israel because salvation emanated through the death, burial and resurrection of Jesus, a Jew from Israel!

You see, Mike Huckabee is correct. Our Christian nation was founded because of what Israel gave to the world. In fact, history seems to clearly indicate that God had a special calling for both Israel and America. Israel was to bless all the families of the earth (Genesis 12:3), which they did, not by their might, but by the sovereignty of God, when Jesus became flesh and dwelt among us. America, not by our might, but by the sovereignty of God, was to preach the Gospel all over the world. Consequently, America sent out more missionaries to the uttermost parts of the world than any other nation, preaching the Good News of Jesus!

Praise God for the Godly heritage we have in America. But we all know our nation is sliding off the foundation that was laid. As you celebrate America’s 250th birthday, please pray for Christians in our land to boldly retake the mantle God intended us to carry. If our nation is to last, it will be because Christians recentered ourselves and our nation upon the Christian foundation our forefathers built upon. Fill these days with prayer, then let’s take our nation back!

PS: If you live in America and do not proudly fly the American flag, why not do so this 4th of July! May we be a nation proud of our heritage of faith and freedom!