(Please note that the references used below are not all "word-for-word" quotes from the afore mentioned names. In one reference, (Thomas Jefferson) it is merely a culmination of words that he was implying.)
"DEPEND-ENCE DAY"
Psalms 33:12-22
(12) Blessed is the nation whose God is the Lord; and the people whom he hath chosen for his own inheritance.
(13) The Lord looketh from heaven; he beholdeth all the sons of men.
(14) From the place of his habitation he looketh upon all the inhabitants of the earth.
(15) He fashioneth their hearts alike; he considereth all their works.
(16) There is no king saved by the multitude of an host: a mighty man is not delivered by much strength.
(17) An horse is a vain thing for safety: neither shall he deliver any by his great strength.
(18) Behold, the eye of the Lord is upon them that fear him, upon them that hope in his mercy;
(19) To deliver their soul from death, and to keep them alive in famine.
(20) Our soul waiteth for the Lord: he is our help and our shield.
(21) For our heart shall rejoice in him, because we have trusted in his holy name.
(22) Let thy mercy, O Lord, be upon us, according as we hope in thee.
THE DECLARATION OF INDEPENDENCE
226 years ago this 4th of July, a few Great Men signed The Declaration of Independence. (56-Men)
It was a Few Great Men, looking for a way to express their religious faith that discovered America. They came looking for freedom to worship our Lord. We recall the story of the Pilgrims and how they came to Plymouth Rock on the Mayflower. Just as they landed they joined together and made what was called the Mayflower Compact in 1620. Listen to these words of the Mayflower Compact:
"In the name of God, amen. Having undertaken for the glory of God and for the advancement of the Christian faith, do solemnly and mutually in the presence of God, covenant and combine ourselves together."
Those settlers wrote: "We came here for the glory of God, and for the advancement of the gospel of Jesus Christ."
Those settlers had a dependence on God and the gospel of Jesus Christ. Today, our Day of Independence should reflect our dependence on Christ.
There’s a painting of the first Continental Congress.
Many of you have heard the story of how they were discussing and they were debating about how the Declaration of Independence would be written.
And finally, Ben Franklin stood and said, "Gentlemen, if it is true that not one single petal from any flower falls to the ground without escaping God’s attention, will the distress of this nation go unheeded? Let us therefore determine to seek His face."
At that suggestion 56 signers of the Declaration of Independence all went to their knees as one man and began to pray and seek the wisdom of God. Wouldn’t it be wonderful today if our congress would go to their knees in prayer, wouldn’t it be wonderful today if the 9th Circuit Court of Appeals and every other court including our Supreme Court, would just get on their knees like our forefathers did and say, "Almighty God, what do you want for this nation?" Imagine how our country could turn back around if this would happen. Abortions, Homosexuality, Prayers in Schools, Bible Reading in our Schiools all would be given another second look. If, our nation would once again turn to God for guidance.
A Few Great Men made a difference.
A FEW GREAT MEN CAN MAKE A DIFFERENCE TODAY
A few Great Men who placed God first built America! Our founding fathers valued Christian Principles. Listen to the spiritual commitment in what they say:
John Quincy Adams who would become President said later in 1821 about the Declaration of Independence. He said:
"From the time of the Declaration of Independence, the American people were bound by the laws of God and the laws of the gospel of Jesus Christ, which they all acknowledge as the root of their conduct. We all came together to obey the word of God."
George Washington Farewell Address to Nation:
"Do not let anyone claim tribute of American patriotism if they even attempt to remove religion from politics."
Patrick Henry:
"It cannot be emphasized too strongly or to often that this great nation was founded not but religionists but by Christians, not on religion but on the gospel of Jesus Christ."
President Thomas Jefferson in an address to Danbury Baptist:
"The 1st amendment has created a wall of separation between church and state, but that wall is a one directional wall, it keeps the government from running the church, but it makes sure that Christian principles will always stay in government."
Listen, a Few can make a Lot of difference. Our forefathers founded our nation on godly principles and America will live on as long as the Lord is her God. Greece built a civilization on culture and it failed. Rome built its civilization on power and it crumbled. But as long as we have a few Great Men who realizes the need of God in our country we can & will remain strong. A few great men can make a difference!
Do you recall the picture of Washington at Valley Forge? His little army was almost starving and freezing to death. Everything that they held dear was at stake. They were fighting against seemingly insurmountable odds But out in the snow George Washington was down on his knees, praying.
Praying, I said! He was acknowledging the need for God’s help! THAT is the spirit that built America!
And it is THAT same spirit that will keep America!
(A Few Great Men, Standing for Godly Principals.)
THAT is the spirit that built America!
LIBERTY DOESN’T COME CHEAP
Do you have any idea what price these men paid for the independence to live in a nation built on the Righteousness of God?
o Five were captured and tortured by the British before they died.
o Twelve had their homes ransacked and burned to the ground.
o Two lost their sons in the war.
o One had two sons captured.
o Nine fought and died from wounds or the hardships of the war.
o Carter Braxton of Virginia, a wealthy planter and trader, saw his ships swept from the seas by the British navy. He sold his home to pay his debts and died in rags.
o Thomas McKean was so hounded by the British that he was forced to move his family almost constantly. He served in Congress without pay and he died in poverty.
o Thomas Nelson’s home was seized by the British at the Battle of Yorktown and used as a command post. He urged General George Washington to open fire on it. The home was destroyed and Nelson died bankrupt.
President Bush is paying a price for taking a stand. There are those who would love to see his fall due to his stand on a recent court ruling which is trying to declare the words, "Under God" unconstitutional in our Pledge of Allegiance. A lot of our society today looks down on our President standing for right. I’m so thankful to have our leader of this nation one who believes and serves God. He was quoted recently having said; "(The) Declaration of God in the Pledge of Allegiance doesn’t violate rights," Bush said. "As a matter of fact, it’s a confirmation of the fact that we received our rights from God, as proclaimed in our Declaration of Independence."
And he went on to say; "I believe that it points up the fact that we need common-sense judges who understand that our rights were derived from God," Bush said. "And those are the kind of judges I intend to put on the bench."
Yes, Bush has taking a stand. But you better believe that he is paying a price for his beliefs. If you’re like me you desire to support our president. But you say, "What Can I Do?"
WHAT CAN I DO?
You might like to be considered one of those few Great Men. You might ask, "How can I make a difference?"
o You can personally repent of sin and commit your life to Christ (If not saved)
o If you are a Christian you can quit riding the fence, CHOOSE YOU THIS DAY WHOM YOU WILL SERVE
o You can pray for our nation and her leaders
o You can insist that we not allow a liberal, atheistic minority to rob us of our spiritual heritage.
o You can live your life in a manner that reflects your trust in our living God
The only way for our nation to remain strong is to keep God as its center. How should we celebrate this year’s "Independence Day?" By realizing our Dependence of the Lord. Let’s make this years’ July 4th our National Depend-ence Day on God.
© 2002 by James W. Bryant
Monday, July 1st, 2002 @ 9:54pm
