Tomorrow will be a day of fireworks and festivities—a day when our nation once again celebrates freedom, faith, and the fearless sacrifices that have been made—and are still being made—to ensure that, just as we have for the past 249 years, we may continue in the years ahead to “proclaim liberty throughout all the land unto all the inhabitants thereof.” (Leviticus 25:10)
Some readers will remember Red Skelton, the beloved entertainer who kept audiences in stitches with his wildly humorous sketches of characters like “Willie Lump Lump,” “Junior, the Mean Widdle Kid,” “Freddie the Freeloader,” and others. His career spanned national radio and television from 1937 to 1971. Skelton’s comedy was clean—wholesome enough for the entire family to enjoy without the annoyance of off-color innuendos. Those who watched The Red Skelton Show will never forget the man or his mastery of the comedic craft.
On one occasion, Red Skelton reflected on an elementary school teacher who explained the meaning of the Pledge of Allegiance to him and his classmates. On January 14, 1969, he described it like this:
- I — me, an individual, a committee of one
- Pledge — dedicate all of my worldly goods to give without self-pity
- Allegiance — my love and devotion
- To the flag — our standard, Old Glory, a symbol of freedom. Wherever she waves, there is respect, because your loyalty has given her dignity that shouts, “Freedom is everybody’s job.”
- Of the United — that means we have all come together
- States — individual communities united into 50 great states. Fifty communities with pride, dignity, and purpose—all divided by imaginary boundaries, yet united by a common purpose: love for country
- Of America
- And to the Republic — a state in which sovereign power is invested in representatives chosen by the people to govern. Government is the people—it’s from the people to the leaders, not from the leaders to the people
- For which it stands
- One nation under God — meaning so blessed by God
- Indivisible — incapable of being divided
- With liberty — freedom; the right or power to live one’s life without fear or threat of retaliation
- And justice — the principle of dealing fairly with others
- For all — meaning it’s as much your country as it is mine
As we reflect on what the 4th of July means again this year, I leave you with the wise words of one of our most esteemed founding fathers:
“I have lived, sir, a long time, and the longer I live, the more convincing proofs I see of this truth: that God rules in the affairs of men. And, if a sparrow cannot fall to the ground without His notice, is it probable that an empire can rise without His aid? … I firmly believe also that without His aid, we shall succeed in this political building no better than the builders of Babel.”
— Benjamin Franklin
God Bless America.
“If you are not governed by God, you will be ruled by tyrants.”
(Inscription on the Liberty Bell, 1752)
YOU and GOD 