July 8, 2026 - Good Morning! It’s Wednesday, July 8. I’ve been in a patriotic mood ever since the big birthday weekend, and so for the last couple of days here at the Daily Devotions we’ve continued in that vein. Ok, here’s one more, and then we’ll turn our attention elsewhere.
There was a lot of celebration on July 4th, 2026. But on July 4th, 1776, hardly anyone was celebrating the new document of freedom, the Declaration of Independence - because hardly anybody knew about it. The Founding Fathers approved it on that day in Philadelphia’s Independence Hall, but it wasn’t read to the public until July 8th. Then there was great celebrating! And the bells of Philadelphia rang. One of those bells hung in the steeple of Independence Hall. At that time it was called The State House Bell, but we know it by a different name now... The Liberty Bell.
The Liberty Bell was cast in 1752, but almost immediately developed a crack. It was repaired, but a larger crack appeared in the early 1800’s and its pealing days were over. But the bell that could not be rung became one of the enduring symbols of our nation. It was brought down from the steeple and placed in the Assembly Room where the Declaration was signed. And in 1865 the body of Abraham Lincoln was brought to that room and thousands came to pay their respects. The Liberty Bell was placed at his head as a reminder of the freedom for which Lincoln lived and died.
There was another reminder that day as well, because inscribed on the bell is a verse of scripture from Leviticus 25:10 - “Proclaim liberty throughout the land to all the inhabitants thereof.” And so, on July 8th, we celebrate once again. And we are reminded of the legacy of freedom that is a gift from our Founding Fathers, and the spiritual freedom that is a gift from our God.
Meet you back here tomorrow,
David
cindertex50@yahoo.com
