Daily Devotional for July 4, 2022
Gateway to Freedom
The wind lashed at Sam’s hair, and salt water splashed on his face as the boat approached Liberty Island in New York Harbor. “Look! There she is,” Sam said, pointing to the Statue of Liberty. He stood at the rail as they got closer.
“I’ve heard this area called the Gateway to Freedom,” Grandma said as the boat docked. “Isn’t the Statue of Liberty beautiful?”
“My grandparents certainly thought so,” said Grandpa. “I remember them telling me what it was like to come to America from the Netherlands. They said the Statue of Liberty was the first sight to welcome them to a new land.”
“I’ll bet they were glad to get here,” said Sam.
Grandpa nodded. “Yes, they were. They were also glad when they became citizens of this country a few years later.”
“Do you know the poem written on a plaque at the base of the statue?” Sam asked. “Mrs. Croy had our class memorize part of it. It says, ‘Give me your tired, your poor, your huddled masses yearning to breathe free.’” Sam looked up at the top of the statue. “Mrs. Croy says there are still lots of people from other countries who come here looking for peace and freedom.”
“Yes,” said Grandpa as they left the boat. “Since so many people want to come to America, our government puts a limit on how many are allowed in. The door is no longer open to everyone.”
“I know,” said Sam. “Mrs. Croy told us criminals aren’t accepted. And she said there’s a limit to the number of people that can come each year from any one region.”
“I’m reminded of another gateway to freedom—one that is open to all who come,” said Grandpa. “Jesus invites everyone to come to Him. Those who trust Him as their Savior are granted freedom from sin and Satan’s power and can rest in God’s peace as they walk with Him each day.”
“And we’re granted citizenship in heaven,” added Grandma.
Sam nodded, then pointed toward a tour group. “Let’s go!” he said. “A tour is starting, and I want to see that plaque with the poem.”
-Jan L. Hansen
How about you?
Is your citizenship in heaven? Have you come to Jesus, trusting Him to save you from sin and give you eternal life? God’s offer is open to everyone, and there’s no limit to the number of people He will accept. No one has done anything that cannot be forgiven. Come to Jesus today, and He will welcome you into His kingdom. To learn more, click the “Good News!” button in the right column of this page.
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