By Pastor Dave Holland
We Americans cherish freedom. It’s built into who we are. We celebrate the right to choose our path, speak our minds, and live without fear of oppression. But freedom isn’t free. Behind every liberty we enjoy, there’s a story of sacrifice.
Take Luke Air Force Base, just outside Phoenix. As the city expands around it, noise complaints have become more common. One local resident recently wrote a letter sarcastically asking, “Who do we thank for the air show?” after F-16s flew low over Arrowhead Mall. The writer assumed the jets were just showboating—maybe trying to impress someone grabbing coffee at Mervyn’s.
But the truth behind that flyover was anything but trivial.
Lt. Col. Grant Rosensteel Jr. responded to the letter, explaining that the formation of jets on that June morning wasn’t for fun—it was a tribute. At precisely 9:12 a.m., four F-16s from the 63rd Fighter Squadron flew over the grave of Capt. Jeremy Fresques, an Air Force officer who had once served at Luke and was killed in Iraq on Memorial Day.
At 9 a.m., family and friends gathered at Sunland Memorial Park in Sun City to honor him. The jets flew overhead in what’s called a four-ship flyby—a sacred tradition in military aviation that signifies a final farewell. The roar of the engines may have drowned out the 21-gun salute and taps for the crowd, but the flyover itself conveyed deep meaning and respect.
Lt. Col. Rosensteel closed his letter with a line that drove his point deep:
“Only two defining forces have ever offered to die for you—Jesus Christ and the American soldier. One died for your soul, the other for your freedom.”
It’s easy to forget that the men and women who serve are more than uniforms. They’re fathers and mothers, daughters and sons. They carry the weight of duty and often the burden of loss. Their sacrifices preserve the freedom we so easily take for granted.
But there’s another kind of freedom we often overlook—the one that doesn’t come from constitutions or courts.
Jesus Christ offers freedom that goes deeper than politics or war. He frees us from the grip of sin, from the things that enslave us on the inside: anger, greed, fear, guilt. His sacrifice wasn’t for a nation—it was for humanity. He died to restore our souls.
Thomas Jefferson once said, “The God who gave us life gave us liberty at the same time.” Without the spiritual foundation of grace and truth, even a free society can drift into chaos.
This Fourth of July, remember those who have fought and died to protect our rights. But also pause to consider the One who offers the freedom of the heart—a freedom no army can secure and no enemy can take away.
“Truly I tell you, everyone who sins is a slave to sin… But if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed.” — John 8:34, 36
Let Christ’s freedom reign in you. When it does, it becomes the foundation for the liberty that lasts.
Dave Holland pastored churches for 38 years before retiring in Destin. This devotional is from his book, “Extraordinary Jesus.” You can get a copy of his books from his website, DaveHolland.org, or at Amazon.com. Pastor Dave is available to preach and teach at churches and conferences. Contact him at DavidvHolland54@gmail.com.
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