Well, we are celebrating our country's Independence this weekend. It was in 1776 that 56 men signed the Declaration of Independence, and the one we think of most often is John Hancock. We say, "Let me have your John Hancock," when we mean your signature. But in all there were 56 signers of the Declaration. 52 of the 56 were Christians. Never let anyone tell you they were deists and atheists. Only people who never read their own words could say that; we can't let them rewrite history.
Patrick Henry, who is known for his "Give me liberty or give me death,"speech also had this to say which shows his view about Jesus Christ: "It cannot be emphasized too strongly or too often that this great nation was not founded by religionists but by Christians, not on religion but on the gospel of Jesus Christ. " Definitely he had to be a Christian.
Then our first President, the great George Washington, a great military leader, who was divinely protected during the War for Independence, as he had several horses shot out from under him, yet he remain unscathed, had this to say, "Without a humble invitation of Christ, we cannot hope to be a happy nation." He didn't say without Muhommed, or Buddha, or some higher power, it was "Christ". He wasn't afraid to be intolerant and say we had to have that invitation from Christ.
Next was the man people want to put down because of his owning slaves and supposedly having a child with one. Thomas Jefferson started several churches in Washington and a university in his home state. He said: "I am a real Christian, that is to say, a disciple of the doctrines of Jesus." Maybe he did some of the things he's charged with, but what Christian hasn't fallen short of the Glory of God. NONE.
Second President of the USA, John Adams said, "The general principles on which the Fathers achieved independence were the general principles of Christianity." In Isaiah 33:22: "For the LORD is our judge, the LORD is our lawgiver, the LORD is our king; he will save us." These principles were used to set up our check and balance system. Judge - Justice Dept; lawgiver - Legislative Branch; and king - Executive Branch (president).
Finally, we come to the one that everyone wants to call a Deist. I think he may roll over in his grave everytime they say that - unless he was right (which I know he was) and he is in heaven with Jesus. Ben Franklin 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." I understand at that point the assembly had a prayer time, and there wasn't a dry eye in the house when they were finished.
People, we must keep in mind the verse in 2 Chronicles 7:13 and 14: If I shut up heaven that there be no rain, or if I command the locusts to devour the land, or if I send pestilence among my people; If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land." If ever Texas needed rain, it is now. Is he waiting for those prayers of repentence before he opens the skies once again?
I know this blog today sounds like a sermon and it pretty much is my pastor, Gil Lain's sermon this morning, but it's also a patriotic lesson on how our nation was founded on Godly principles by Godly men, and this weekend we celebrate their achievements in fighting and sacrificing for our freedom. Many, many people flee to the USA every year for this freedom. Let's not forget why the Lord blessed us as a nation. "One nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and freedom for all." Let's celebrate this weekend and remember our past, but look to our future with eyes focused on Jesus Christ.
Happy Holidays, and say "thank you" to a veteran if you see one and let him or her know we appreciate what he or she did for our freedom and liberty so we could have this celebration.
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