Independence Day
Pastor Ken
When the Declaration of Independence was written, it detailed a list of legal offenses England had left unresolved with the colonies. Things such as taxation without representation, searches and seizures without probable cause, and the confiscation of firearms. However, the underlying concern of the founding fathers was that their religious liberties would be taken away to reestablish the Church of England.
Thus, it was the churches who became the primary voice for liberty. In 1775, Lutheran pastor, John Peter Gabriel Muhlenberg, preached a sermon on Ecclesiastes 3:1, “To everything there is a season and a time for every purpose under heaven.” Concluding the message, he declared, “There is a time to preach and there is a time to fight. And now is the time to fight.” He then threw off his clerical robes to reveal the uniform of a Revolutionary Army officer. That same afternoon he marched off to join General Washington’s troops.
Muhlenberg’s example serves as a reminder that America depends more upon the church of Jesus Christ than she does any other political, military, or economic entity. She depends more upon the church than we, the church, may even realize. We bear the responsibility of fighting for her on two fronts.
First, through prayer.
II Chronicles 7:14 (NIV)
If my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and I will forgive their sin and will heal their land.
Prayer is still one of the most powerful resources we possess, but it seems we’ve forgotten the original purpose of prayer. Prayer is not about what we want to accomplish for ourselves; it is about what God wants to accomplish on our behalf. II Chronicles reveals God’s heart for America. He wants to forgive her sin! He wants to heal her! And He solemnly promises He will forgive and heal her if we, the church, will fight for her through prayer.
Secondly, we fight for America through action
Psalm 33:12
Blessed is the nation whose God is the Lord, the people he chose for his inheritance.
The word “inheritance” can also be translated as “possession.” It means there is a special status reserved for the nation who identifies as God’s nation, His “possession.” We, the church, can reinforce the notion that America is God’s possession through unashamedly and unapologetically fighting to defend the moral and spiritual values upon which she was founded. Through advocating and voting for political candidates committed to upholding biblical values. And through teaching those same biblical values to our children whether it be in word or deed.
On Thursday, America will celebrate its 247th birthday. I ask you to take the time on Thursday, to pray a special prayer over her and her national leaders. But I also challenge you to always be prepared to “fight the good fight” in preserving the freedoms and the blessings you richly enjoy.
Have a great Monday.