Did You Know?
July 4th is approaching soon and it is one of the most sacred days for the American Citizen. On July 4th, 1776, delegates to the Continental Congress in Philadelphia, Penn. voted to adopt the Declaration of Independence. The 56 men who issued that famous document realized they were signing their own death warrants because the British would consider them traitors. A follow- up article next week will tell of the suffering and hardships each of the signers and their families went through.
In a speech July 4th, 1926, on the 150th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence, President Calvin Coolidge spoke of the document as a great spiritual document. He expounded on what a great blessing to the world it was and what great spiritual development to be acquired through it. He stated that, “If we do not maintain the great heritage which had been bequeathed to us that we will fail. We must follow the spiritual and moral leadership, which the signers showed. We must keep replenished that impelling flame at the alter of our worship”.
The great Reverend Billy Graham on July 4th, 2012 stated that, “As we pause to remember the signing of the Declaration by our courageous forefathers we thank God for the blessing that he has granted to us as a nation. Blessings we must never take for granted. We should continue to commend our pastors for urging people to pray for our country. It is the most important thing we can do to secure our nation’s future”. Never, even in time of war, does our nation need our prayers more than this time. Of the virus pandemic and the riots occurring in our nation today. Praying reminds us that we are dependent on God for everything that we are and everything we have. God watches over us every day of our lives and safeguards us against those who would destroy us. We should take time to pray for our nation and its leaders both today and every day.
July 4th is acclaimed as Independence Day but July 4th, 1776, was only the beginning of our desire for independence. It took the Revolutionary War to gain it, the lives of many, the leadership of George Washington, and the love of God. As we gather with family and friends on July 4th to enjoy a barbeque and fellowship lets pause for a few moments of prayer thanking God for such a wonderful land we have inherited and that we must preserve.
