Brenda Black
On Monday, many were free from work to
celebrate America's birthday. But on Tuesday the price for such
freedom meant rising early after going to bed late to toil once again
and get the bills paid. There is always a price to pay.
For patriots who formed this nation,
and those who have followed, the price for freedom mounted up to more
than just sleepiness and drudgery. It cost life and limb.
“I know not what course others may
take; but as for me, give me liberty or give me death!” With
passion, Patrick Henry implored the citizens of Virginia to join the
American Revolution. But his fighting words were premised by far
stronger convictions that he was not left without help. This patriot
and founding father of our nation believed in unseen forces and
supreme influence. “Besides, sir, we shall not fight our battles
alone. There is a just God who presides over the destinies of
nations, and who will raise up friends to fight our battles for us,”
2 Chronicles 32:8.
Henry would later say: “It
cannot be emphasized too clearly and too often that this nation was
founded, not by religionists, but by Christians; not on religion, but
on the gospel of Jesus Christ.”
There is unquestionable evidence that
the founding fathers governed from a biblical perspective. They
founded America on faith and set their hearts on freedom. The framers
of our U.S. Constitution believed in The Founding Father who created
heaven and earth and “governs in the affairs of men,” as Benjamin
Franklin stated, based on Daniel 4:17.
Maybe that's why I still tear up when
I hear or sing “God Bless America.” He has, He is, and He will
again bless this nation...IF we welcome His divine influence and
fight on the right side for the right causes.
The God who existed before the
foundation of the world is the One who pierced the hearts of those
men and emboldened them to declare freedom to follow Him. This same
God is no less present or active today. He is the Founding Father in
every way. Independence Day, then, is more than just patriotic
picnicking and a day free from work. It is a reminder that what the
Son sets free, is free indeed!
The Founding Father charges us to come
unto Him when we are weak and heavy laden. He promised rest long
before Miss Liberty extended the invitation to "Give me your
tired, your poor, your huddled masses yearning to breathe free.”
Some people explored here,
some people were fortunate to be born here and some risked life and
limb to just touch the shores of America. Why? Because in America we
have the unique freedom to fully access God and experience both
liberty in the land and liberty of the soul. It took the lives of
brave, young patriots. It took the dedication of forward thinking
visionaries who ratified our Constitution. It took desperate times
and enormous sacrifices from men, women and children in every
generation to sustain such liberating status.
This Independence Day, and
every day that follows, remember the price that was paid. Remember
the founding fathers who intelligently launched a free nation based
on biblical truths. Remember The Founding Father that gave His Son
on the cross. Remember, like Patrick Henry did, that liberty is worth
the fight. God help us to not lose our Independence. Without such
freedom, we are tired, poor, wretched and homeless once again.
©2016 The Word's Out-Brenda Black
