The day after Independence Day naturally invites gratitude. We thank God for freedom, family,

prosperity, and the many blessings we enjoy. Yet Moses warns Israel that prosperity carries a hidden

danger. When life is good, we can slowly begin to trust God's gifts more than God Himself. Success,

security, health, wealth, and even our nation can become substitutes for the One who gave them.

Through Moses' warning and the confession of Psalm 20, we are reminded that everyone trusts

something. The question is what. Nations trust in military strength. Leaders promise security and

prosperity. And we are tempted to place our deepest confidence in whoever holds power at the

moment. But earthly powers rise and fall. No nation endures forever. No leader carries what only God

can carry. Where every human institution has failed, Jesus remained faithful. He trusted His Father

perfectly, even unto death on a cross, and His faithfulness now covers our failures. Because of Christ,

we are free to love our country without making it our savior and to respect our leaders without

making them our hope. Our trust belongs to the Lord our God alone.