Hope for the Nations: Declare Dependence Upon God
This Independence Day I spent some time reading about the history of America and the dynamics involved in the writing of the Declaration of Independence, the Articles of Confederation and the ratification of the Constitution in 1787. The thunder and flash of cannon fire filled my imagination and dreams. I could almost catch a glimpse of the vision of independence from tyranny which the colonists had. I now find that the LORD is building upon that glimpse into the hearts and minds of the Founders and fanning the flame for freedom within my heart.
A few years ago I came across a document called a “Declaration of Dependence Upon God” written by Jay Rogers of The Forerunner, an international Christian media group which seeks to impart Christians with a Biblical Worldview.
The Declaration states:
“We, the Christian citizens of the United States of America, thankfully acknowledge God's faithfulness towards us and the permission to choose our civil rulers, which God entrusts and grants as a privilege. Therefore, we repent of having allowed ungodliness and conceit to rule over our nation rather than having chosen wise and godly rulers. We pray that God Almighty would dash the conceits of all those who shall oppose His eternal moral laws. We are persuaded, as God has given us the liberty, to now faithfully maintain it. As God has spared our lives, and has given us life and liberty, we pledge to seek the guidance of God, and to choose civil authorities that will rule under God.”
The focus of this Declaration differs from our original Declaration of Independence in that it explicitly acknowledges Jesus Christ as Sovereign and declares our dependence upon Him.
America was once a shining light for the other nations. After we obtained our independence from England, we were small, in debt, and in flux as the Founding Fathers differed in their philosophy of what type of nation we would be: a confederation of States or a national entity made up of states. (Please note that there is a wide difference between these two types of government as in the confederations, the States were to be superior to the national governing body, and the federal government was not to have predominance and power over the individual states.) Christianity was the predominate influence and much reference was made to religion in letters and writings by the Founders. For example, one can look back to original constitutions of the States and see that Jesus Christ was acknowledged as Sovereign. Our present Constitution, a national covenant of “We the people” is lacking this acknowledgement of Jesus Christ and needs to be amended; and just as importantly, our hearts need to be changed from rebellion and independence of Christ to hearts of submission and dependence upon the King of kings.
Let us take to heart these words from Scripture: “Let every person be subject to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and those that exist have been instituted by God.” (Romans 13:1 – ESV) Amen.
A few years ago I came across a document called a “Declaration of Dependence Upon God” written by Jay Rogers of The Forerunner, an international Christian media group which seeks to impart Christians with a Biblical Worldview.
The Declaration states:
“We, the Christian citizens of the United States of America, thankfully acknowledge God's faithfulness towards us and the permission to choose our civil rulers, which God entrusts and grants as a privilege. Therefore, we repent of having allowed ungodliness and conceit to rule over our nation rather than having chosen wise and godly rulers. We pray that God Almighty would dash the conceits of all those who shall oppose His eternal moral laws. We are persuaded, as God has given us the liberty, to now faithfully maintain it. As God has spared our lives, and has given us life and liberty, we pledge to seek the guidance of God, and to choose civil authorities that will rule under God.”
The focus of this Declaration differs from our original Declaration of Independence in that it explicitly acknowledges Jesus Christ as Sovereign and declares our dependence upon Him.
America was once a shining light for the other nations. After we obtained our independence from England, we were small, in debt, and in flux as the Founding Fathers differed in their philosophy of what type of nation we would be: a confederation of States or a national entity made up of states. (Please note that there is a wide difference between these two types of government as in the confederations, the States were to be superior to the national governing body, and the federal government was not to have predominance and power over the individual states.) Christianity was the predominate influence and much reference was made to religion in letters and writings by the Founders. For example, one can look back to original constitutions of the States and see that Jesus Christ was acknowledged as Sovereign. Our present Constitution, a national covenant of “We the people” is lacking this acknowledgement of Jesus Christ and needs to be amended; and just as importantly, our hearts need to be changed from rebellion and independence of Christ to hearts of submission and dependence upon the King of kings.
Let us take to heart these words from Scripture: “Let every person be subject to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and those that exist have been instituted by God.” (Romans 13:1 – ESV) Amen.
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