July 4 Reflection

Reading - Psalm 67-69

Reflection Text - Psalm 68

On this day of Freedom in the United States, we pause to reflect on just how free we are. Yes, we are free to vote. Yes, we are free with equal representation. Yes, we have freedom of speech and freedom of religion. But these are all grandiose things.

The poet today describes a freedom found in relationship. He says,

4 Sing to God, sing in praise of his name,
extol him who rides on the clouds;
rejoice before him—his name is the LORD.
5 A father to the fatherless, a defender of widows,
is God in his holy dwelling.
6 God sets the lonely in families,
he leads out the prisoners with singing;"

Have you or one of your friends grown up without a Dad? What's it like to not know how to act like a Godly man? How do you treat a woman? How do you walk through life's trials without an example? One might see, the fatherless could be bound because of a lack of a relationship.

Do you know a recent widow in your community? How are they taken advantage of? When's the last time you saw someone come to the defense of a widow in a car accident? One might say that widows could be imprisoned by society's value on the young and married.

But God is a Father to the Fatherless and a Defender of widows. He puts the lonely in families...in relationship. God takes the prisoners and puts them into relationship. And in that, they experience freedom.

How has God set you free to be in a greater relationship with Him?