In many ways, 1776 was an inauspicious year. More than 300 ships of the British fleet filled with Royal Marines, had bottled up Boston Harbor for almost 2 years.
The Royal Marines had marched into the surrounding countryside. Charleston was set on fire and the fleet threatened to sail unchecked south down the coast, forcing its will on every American harbor city.
There was no American fleet to oppose them. The British army, in their famous red coats may have been the best army in the world. The army of the Continental Congress at the time was puny, ill-trained and ill-equipped.
The Americans did not have any munitions factories or stockpiles of munitions. They depended on European manufacturers. Quite frankly not more than one third of Americans supported independence; one third supported the king. And the other third just didn’t care.
And yet those who put their lives on the line for liberty had one supreme source of confidence—a source of confidence they counted on.
And before the members of Congress would sign their names upon the parchment of the Declaration, in the concluding passages of the Declaration of Independence they inserted these words: “with firm reliance on Divine Providence.” The source of their confidence was God!
With foresight, bravery, and “reliance on Divine Providence” our nation was born—the land of the free and home of the brave.
Today our freedoms are under attack, perhaps as never before. As worried as we are about terrorist attacks, the real danger today is more from within than from without. I wonder would our founding Fathers recognize America today. Are there any patriots left?
From their flowery speeches as well as from their conduct, it is becoming more difficult to find them from even among our congressmen and women and leaders, and among the many who are throwing their hats into the ring for the presidency of the United States.
It is hard to believe that we have law makers who think in relative terms when it comes to freedom and patriotism. They even debate what freedom and patriotism are.
It was President Abraham Lincoln who taught us that a divided nation cannot survive. Listen—a nation with different definitions of the Constitution, and leaders who do not know what patriotism is, is a nation divided. We should know what a patriot is.
A patriot is one who loves and supports and defends one’s country. Simple and to the point! Yet many in America today reject this definition. They are not as concerned about America’s posterity as they are about their own prosperity
For them patriotism is relative, as is morality. This has led to the toleration of all things evil in the name of freedom. But, it seems to me, this toleration is in the name of the almighty dollar.
Their heroes are celebrities. Desecrating the flag is “free speech” as is pornography. But prayer is not, and the Ten Commandments, upon which the laws of this republic are based, are considered a danger to the public.
They are represented by the likes of the college professor in Colorado who praised the terrorist attack on 9/11 and actually blamed America for it. And by the ACLU and others, some wearing black robes, who attack justice and morality, and promote laws that do not reflect our values.
These individuals claim to be patriots but do everything in their power to destroy what is good and decent and great about America. They are scattered throughout out the country in places of influence—schools, colleges, courtrooms and newsrooms.
They especially thrive in the media where they have separated journalism in America from Americans. They insist that terrorists can be reasoned with; they praise the courage of our enemy; they expose our secrets and battle plans; they endanger our soldiers for a story.
Mike Wallace admitted as much when he said he would refuse to prevent the massacre of American soldiers in order to get a story. These people are engaged in guerilla warfare against our Constitution. They are trying to remold the country of our founders to fit their agendas and their egos and to fill their portfolios.
They say they love America yet refuse to support or defend it. They talk about peace but will not sacrifice for it. And they are never found in veteran’s cemeteries.
Where have all the patriots gone? I believe there are people, like you and me, who love their country, support their country, and are willing to die defending their country. For them patriotism is a given, an absolute. It is not relative and open to debate.
Our patriotism is one that understands what God has accomplished in our nation. It is a patriotism that is forever thankful for freedom, and for those who have died for our freedom. It is the belief that God created all men and women equal and free in His image.
Our patriotism is not naďve. It understands that we love, support, and defend our country, yet, as Christians, we do not fully belong here or in any earthly land. Paul wrote, Phil 3:20, Our citizenship is in heaven.
As patriotic Americans, we want this great country to flourish and prosper. At the same time, as Christians, we understand that every human being and every human community is equally precious in God’s sight.
We value the ideals of our founding fathers in the Declaration of Independence and our Constitution. We strive to live out those ideas with all that we are. While we live on this earth we are citizens and patriots of the United States of America.
Jesus reminded us of this when He was asked one time about paying taxes. The question was designed to bran Him as a traitor to His nation.
Luke 20:22-25, 22“Is it right for us to pay taxes to Caesar or not?" 23 He saw through their duplicity and said to them, 24 "Show me a denarius. Whose portrait and inscription are on it?" 25 "Caesar's," they replied. He said to them, "Then give to Caesar what is Caesar's, and to God what is God's."
Give to Caesar what is Caesar’s, and to God what is God’s. This is a perfect reminder from Jesus Himself; we have a dual citizenship: heaven and earth. And Jesus made it clear that we have an allegiance to the country of our birth or choice.
July 4th we celebrate the 231st birthday of our nation. – a nation which was born under God, and under God was destined for world leadership. God has blessed America. God is blessing America. We pray that He will continue to bless America.
The declaration of Independence calls liberty an inalienable right. Our national anthem calls America the land of the free and home of the brave.
For the sake of this freedom a revolution was fought . . . a Bill of Rights was drafted, and countless numbers of patriots have died in defense of our freedom.
Patrick Henry articulated those priceless words: “Is life so dear or peace so sweet as to be purchased at the price of chains and slavery? Forbid it, Almighty God! I know not what course others may take, but as for me, give me liberty or give me death.”
This liberty we enjoy has long been the envy of the rest of the world. It is our greatest asset – freedom of speech, freedom of the press, freedom of religion – these are the hallmarks that make America great.
George Washington, John Adams, Benjamin Franklin, Abraham Lincoln, to name just a few, saw very clearly the providence of God behind the events of their days. They said that America didn’t happen by accident . . America came about by divine design.
The Declaration of Independence ends with, “With a firm reliance on the protection of Divine Providence, we mutually pledge to each other our lives, our fortunes, and our sacred honor.”
In his first inaugural address George Washington said, “No people can be bound to acknowledge and adore the Invisible Hand which conducts the affairs of men, more than the people of the United States.”
Brothers and sisters in Christ, there is no better time than the birthday of our country to recommit ourselves to standing up for the good, the moral, and the right.
It was always the founders intention that our freedom be a responsible freedom, and that the foundation of our nation be God.
We are citizens of this world and of heaven. Are there any patriots left? Yes! I trust you are one of them. Let’s celebrate our great American heritage because—In God We Trust.