July 4 has always been a special holiday for me. I started out my teaching career as a high school American history teacher.
My master’s degree is in early American history. I read around 20-25 American history books and biographies each year. I love reading and studying American history, and don’t take for granted the freedoms and liberties we enjoy as Americans. And if I’m honest, the week of July 4 is one of the few times where I finally feel like I can “get away” and vacation with my family. There are few things I enjoy in life more than a family barbeque over the fourth.
Every July 4, I’m reminded of two great blessings in my life that I had absolutely no control over:
1. I was born into a Christian home with two loving, Christian parents.
2. I was born in the United States of America.
With these two realities alone, I can say I’ve been incredibly blessed by God. As an American, we can’t forget our history. On July 4, 2026, the United States will celebrate its 250th birthday—and well we should! While certainly a flawed and sin-filled nation, our country’s inalienable principles of “life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness” remain just as important today as it did at the founding. We are blessed!
Why remembering matters
As a Christian, we can’t forget our history either. Indeed, the Bible is literally filled with thousands of “remember” reminders and pleas from God. While American history is being taught less, or in a radicalized way, if at all, even fewer people are hearing or being taught the Word of God, at least as a percentage of the populace.
This is a sad reality because Christianity is a religion based on history and firmly grounded in historical facts and historical events. Jesus really did walk and live on earth. Numerous historical records, documents, witnesses and artifacts attest to these facts and truth claims. And Jesus really did die on the cross and really did rise from the dead. Abundant historical records, documents, witnesses, and artifacts attest to these facts and truths, too.
Recently I published, “Sacred Inspiration: A Devotional Journey Through the American Revolution and God’s Word.” The book is made up of approximately 40 devotions that lead with a story from the American Revolution and then finish with Scripture related to the topic.
As readers engage with these devotions, they’ll be looking back to the American Revolution and, more importantly, even farther back to the life of Jesus and the ancient and perfect Word. My prayer is that the Holy Spirit may work on readers’ hearts and minds and have their faith strengthened through these devotions.
The battle over history and truth
George Orwell’s “1984” has the often-quoted line, “Who controls the past, controls the future. Who controls the present, controls the past.” Indeed. If history can be destroyed, suppressed or forgotten, then people might forget about Jesus and what He has done for all people. This is precisely why Satan and so many in the secular world have declared war on history, truth and Jesus. The stakes are high and eternal.
Winston Churchill, who is not an American and did not fight in the American Revolution, once said, “The farther backward you look, the farther forward you are likely to see.” While not divine, his words ring true today and provide a useful metaphor for the hopes I have for “Sacred Inspiration.“
A July 4 prayer of thanksgiving
Every July 4 is like Thanksgiving for me. The holiday reminds me to give thanks for our country and the liberties and freedoms we have and that came at a cost. And it also reminds me of the cost of our redemption—with Jesus, who died on the cross to redeem us from our sins.
One of our most founding fathers, Patrick Henry, left these words in his last will and testament. “This is all the inheritance I can give to my dear family. The religion of Christ can give them one which will make them rich indeed.” Amen.
Blessed July 4 to you and your family. And happy birthday, America!
About the author: Dr. Jim Pingel is Concordia University Wisconsin’s dean of the School of Education and professor of Education.
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