Freedom's Light 
by Pastor Paul M. Sadler
“In everything give thanks: for this is the will of
God in Christ Jesus concerning you” (I Thessalonians
5:18).
Some time ago I read the fascinating autobiography of Governor William
Bradford, who courageously led the Pilgrims to the New World in 1620. The
Governor documents how their quest for “religious freedom” brought them
face to face with many perils. He describes how,
en route to what
we now know as Cape Cod, they nearly went to a watery grave when the
supporting beam of the
Mayflower’s mainmast snapped. By the
providence of God, one of the families on board had brought a jack, which
was used to reinforce the beam.
But this was only the beginning of sorrows. The arrival of the
Pilgrims on the shores of liberty was also filled with many hazards, as
nearly one-half of their number perished the first year due to disease.
Nevertheless, their faith in our Lord remained unmoveable. Throughout it
all, they found much for which to be thankful that “first”
Thanksgiving. And so do we, for our “freedom of worship” was
originally conceived in their sacrifice.
Today, however, this freedom is being threatened on every hand, both
here and abroad. Perhaps the greatest threat is Islam! Christians
around the world are being persecuted for sharing Christ with those who are
living in darkness. Islam, of course, is a religion of hate, which is
clearly seen in the riots and recent murders of innocent Americans in
Muslim countries. The hallmark of Christianity, on the other hand, is
love.
As we gather with family and friends this
Thanksgiving,
may we be mindful of the great price that was paid to secure our
liberty.
May we be mindful that Christ also died for Muslims; only He can deliver
them from the brutality of their religion and set them free from a life of
oppression.
May we be mindful of our troops overseas who are the guardians of our
nation, preserving our freedom to worship here in America without fear of
persecution. Many of these defenders of our values will be sitting in a
bunker this
Thanksgiving in some faraway country. There was a
popular saying at the time of our country’s founding which is as true now
as it was then: “Eternal vigilance is the price of liberty.”
May we all give thanks for the salvation that we enjoy in Christ, even
the forgiveness of our dreadful sins that would have condemned us. “O
give thanks unto the Lord, for He is good: for His mercy endureth
forever” (Psa. 107:1). AMEN!
