4th of July Parades

I was reading a Fox News article this morning that described many of the various parades and other celebrations that occurred across our land yesterday in honor of our country’s independence.   Many of these gatherings were not only in celebration of the adoption of the Declaration of Independence back in 1776, but were also in commemoration of recent times when the citizens of our great country banded together in times of tragedy in support of freedom and the common good for all such as the all city celebration in Boston, which was the first large gathering since the marathon bombings, or the re-opening of the Statue of Liberty where the island was heavily damaged due to the fierce winds and flooding of Hurricane Sandy.  One participant whose mother’s home was destroyed was quoted as saying: "This, to us, Liberty Island, is really about a rebirth.  It is a sense of renewal for the city and the country. We wouldn't have missed it for the world."

You and I can also celebrate the rebirth from our failures and faults as we commemorate what Jesus did for us on the cross.  And just like Him, we can also participate in triumphant parades that He wants to lead us in on a regular basis!  Colossians 2:15 declares that “on that cross Christ freed himself from the power of the spiritual rulers and authorities; he made a public spectacle of them by leading them as captives in his victory procession.” (Good News Bible)  You talk about Victory Parades!  That festivity that occurred a few thousand years ago must put Macy’s Thanksgiving Parade or the Rose Parade in Pasadena California to shame!

Today we can also participate in regular victory processions.  In 2 Corinthians 2:14 the Apostle Paul tells us that “I am grateful that God always makes it possible for Christ to lead us to victory.” (CEV)  The Message Bible puts it: “in Christ, God leads us from place to place in one perpetual victory parade.”

When’s the last time that you marched in a parade?  I think the last time I was in a parade was when my wife (or girlfriend at the time!) and I marched in our hometown’s annual Rose Parade as part of a local radio station’s marching band… playing our transistor radios!  (anyone remember those???)  But the Word says that we can march in a victory parade all the time!  Does that sound far-fetched to you?  Well… if the Word says it, then it must be true!

It may not be a physical parade that you march down the center of town in, but it is a victory procession that you can march right in the face of the enemy of our souls when he attempts to disrupt our lives with any kind of problem!  Remember Jesus Himself told His followers that “The things which are impossible with men are possible with God.” (Luke 18:27 KJV)  When the enemy says “you can’t” you tell him “Yes I can for it is written…” then turn and join God’s Victory Parade that is marching by your life today!  Have a great weekend.  Stay in tune to His Word, and keep asking yourself… “What PARADE am I expecting to MARCH IN today?”