Only a few days ago, our community, along with the rest of our nation, celebrated our country’s Declaration of Independence, 238 years ago. I for one, rejoice in having been raised in a free country. The gift of liberty is something I hold near and dear to my heart. I am a grateful recipient of the benefits of freedom. I’ve never known anything else.

Unfortunately, America has experienced an eroding of its freedoms in recent years. I believe Proverbs 14:34 sheds light on the cause of these losses. That verse says, “Righteousness exalteth a nation: but sin is a reproach to any people.” With all my heart, I believe our nation needs to return to God, and seek His forgiveness. God should no longer be relegated to the periphery of American life, but He should be where He belongs; at the very core of American society. Only then can this nation continue to be the beacon of liberty she has been for over 200 years.

Having said that, I believe there are a couple of inherent dangers in never having experienced the perils of bondage. The first of these is that of forgetting that freedom has never been free. The value of liberty is made precious by the sacrifices made to purchase and preserve it. The price paid for the “inalienable rights” we enjoy as a nation has been monumentally horrific and tragic—the blood, sweat, tears, broken bodies and the very lives of our country’s finest. We must never forget the cost of freedom.

In addition to the first danger, mentioned above, is that of forgetting the fragility of freedom. Edmund Burke once said, “All that is necessary for the triumph of evil is that good men do nothing.” The foundation of liberty can be destroyed by the complacency of good people who chose not to get involved. Freedom must be constantly maintained and guarded, for one skirmish in defense of liberty will not permanently guarantee its existence. As a nation, we must ever be vigilant to protect our country’s freedom.

In 1831, a distinguished admirer of America, French writer Alexis de Tocqueville, made the following observation:

I sought for the greatness of the United States in her commodious harbors, her ample rivers, her fertile fields, and boundless forests—and it was not there. I sought for it in her rich mines, her vast world commerce, her public school system, and in her institutions of higher learning—and it was not there. I looked for it in her democratic Congress and her matchless Constitution—and it was not there. Not until I went into the churches of America and heard her pulpits flame with righteousness did I understand the secret of her genius and power. America is great because America is good, and if America ever ceases to be good, America will cease to be great!”

May we as citizens of America stand in the gap (Ezek. 22:30), and pray fervently for our beloved nation that God has so graciously blessed. Let us not forget that freedom isn’t free. It’s fragile. Therefore it must be diligently guarded.

God bless Port O’Connor; and may God bless the United States of America.