Blessed is the nation whose God is the Lord, the people whom He has chosen for His own inheritance. Psalm 33:12
In 1775, the people in and around New England began fighting the British for independence. The war lasted until 1783 when the British finally surrendered. During this time, a makeshift Congress formed and secretly voted on July 2, for complete independence. The vote passed, and two days later, on July 4, 1776, the final wording of the Declaration of Independence was approved and published.
The commemoration of that special day, July 4, evolved into an annual celebration of our freedom as an independent nation. The designation of Independence Day came later in 1791.
Here are what many of our early Founding Fathers believed and said during that time in our history. It is too bad we do not have more leaders like these today. What a moral difference that would make for us.
“I’ve lived, sir, a long time, and the longer I live, the more I am convinced that God governs in the affairs of men. And if a sparrow cannot fall to the ground without the Lord’s notice, how is it possible that a nation can rise without His aid? For without the Lord building the house, all who labor, do so in vain.” 1 Benjamin Franklin
“O blessed Father, let thy Son’s blood wash me from all impurities, and cleanse me from the stains of sin that are upon me. Give me the grace to lay hold of Your merits; that they may be my conciliation and atonement. May I know my sins are forgiven, by Your Son’s death and resurrection?” 2 President George Washington
“The Declaration of Independence laid the cornerstone of human government upon the first precepts of Christianity, for I have examined all religions, and the result is that the Bible is the best book in the world.” 3 President John Adams
“We have been the recipients of the choicest bounties of heaven. We have been preserved these many years in peace and prosperity. We have grown in numbers, wealth, and power as no other nation has ever grown. But we have forgotten God. It behooves us then to humble ourselves before the offended powers, to confess our national sins and to pray for clemency and forgiveness.” 4 President Abraham Lincoln
“Let the children who are sent to those schools be taught to read, write, and above all, let both sexes be carefully instructed in the principles and obligations of the Christian religion. This is the most essential part of education.” 5 Benjamin Rush (Signer of Declaration of Independence)
“Education is useless without the Bible.” 6 Daniel Webster
“Cursed be all learning that is contrary to the cross of Christ.” 7 President James Madison
It is amazing what a majority of our early leaders believed when forming our laws, policies, and visions. Not quite what many of our current political, judicial, and educational leaders hold to when establishing our laws, policies, and visions of today. What a difference, what a contrast, and what a disappointment.
The way our country is digressing in its values and principles right now, relying less and less on God for guidance and strength, the more we backslide in our morals and spirituality. A slide that may take years from which to recover, if ever.
Perhaps in our idealism, we believe our voting for this candidate or that will make a difference. But are there candidates out there with the same moral and leadership fiber as a George Washington, John Adams, or Abraham Lincoln? I don’t think so, at least I haven’t seen many men or women so far that compare to these great leaders of the past.
Last Thoughts
If this moral decline is true, and I hope it isn’t, then your resolve must be to ask God to intervene and save us as a nation before it becomes too late.
Maybe through your prayerful pleas, He will hear your requests and raise up new leaders: men and women who not only love the people of this nation but love God, too. Men and women who put others before themselves, even if it causes them to lose an election.
Therefore, suggest in this year’s Independence Day celebration to include a time of prayer with all that you do.
Footnotes
- Thomas George [editor], God governs the Affairs of Men, Benjamin Franklin, (The Greatest Message of All-time, Great-messages.com).
- William J. Johnson, George Washington the Christian (New York, Forgotten Books/ Abingdon Press, 1919), pages 28-31.
- Natalie Nichols, Is America a Christian Nation? More Quotes from Our Founders: John Adams, (Internet, Americana, May 10, 2010) *Note-Two quotes are combined into one.
- Franklin Graham, Quote by Abraham Lincoln (Washington D.C., Inaugural Invocation of President George W. Bush, January 20, 2001)
- L.H. Butterfield, editor, Letters of Benjamin Rush, (Princeton: The American Philosophical Society, 1951), Volume I page 414.
- Why-the-bible.com, Daniel Webster, (Internet, The Bible-Quotes from Famous Men).
- 7. Christian Quotes, James Madison Christian Quote about Learning, (Published in Christian Education Quotes, February 12, 2012).