Devotionals

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It’s late October 2020. The young boy is rushing through the park on his way to school. It’s a crisp and clear morning and the leaves are at their peak color. As he rounds a bend on the macadam walkway, he comes upon an old man sitting on a park bench reading and occasionally watching the passing walkers. He has seen this man there before, always sitting on the same bench. Today, for some unknown reason, he decides to stop for a moment and chat.

“Excuse me, Mister,” he says. “Why do you always sit here on the same bench just reading and watching? Don’t you have anything else to do?”

“Well, young fellow, it’s because I’m not allowed to work any longer,” he replies. “The government says I’m now too old to work. So I just come here because I enjoy the beauty of nature and watching people.”

The little boy follows up, “What is that pin you are wearing on your collar? It looks like a flag? Where did it come from?”

The old man suddenly looks very sad as he responds, “It is called the stars and stripes and a few years ago it was the flag of this country. It represented freedom, honor and sacrifice. Those are words you don’t hear much anymore, just like you never see the old flag. It was changed so that people would forget the way things were. Please don’t tell anyone I told you this.”

“My grandfather tells me similar things sometimes, but he says I must not tell anyone. It will get him in trouble,” the little boy tells him as he stands up to leave. “It was nice talking with you. I hope to see you again sometime. And don’t worry; your secret is safe with me.”
The old man responds, “It was nice talking with you too, young man. Take care of yourself.”

He returns to his reading and crowd watching.

Suddenly a motorcycle pulls up and a big, burly man wearing the government police uniform walks up to the old man.

“Hey, haven’t I told you not to talk to anyone, old man,” he barks. “Just because we allow you to come to the park doesn’t mean that you can spread your anti-government propaganda. Consider this the final warning; do it again and I will lock you up.”

The old man nods and gets up to leave. As he leaves the park on the way home, he says a little prayer silently.

“Dear Lord, Help me to have the courage to always remember and stand by my convictions. And give me the strength to stay strong in my belief in Thy goodness and light no matter what happens to me. I know that when this life ends, I will reside with Thee and live for eternity in Thy warm presence.

“And help young, strong patriots to rise up against this tyranny, to speak the truth, and to lead the cause of righteousness and justice, that may return this great land to its prior prominence and greatness under Thy guidance. For the world truly needs America to once again be the hope and promise of the world.

“We ask in the name of Jesus Christ, Thy son and our Savior, Amen.”

Could this be the future we face? Do we Americans still have in us the desire and willingness to make sacrifices to maintain freedom and liberty? Are we going to sell our souls for the false security promised by an ever more tyrannical central government which is incapable of meeting its commitments?

Today, more than ever, the future is in doubt. And every day, if this spreading cancer isn’t killed, it will be less likely that we can ever turn back.

We must think about and pray for our future. We must reach down deep inside ourselves to find out what we are really made of. We must ask God for divine guidance, for if we do, he will help us find the way to overcome what we face. Remember, in God we trust. Turn to him and he will provide the light to show us the way.

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