On 4th of July, 1776, the Continental Congress signed the Declaration of Independence, which stated America’s separation from England and its king. The American Revolution: had this motto “No King but King Jesus.” And the founders rang the Liberty Bell that had the inscription “Proclaim liberty throughout the land and to all the inhabitants thereof” (Leviticus 25:10). The Declaration of Independence was the birth certificate for this nation.
America has been blessed by God because it is the longest on-going Constitutional Republic in the history of the world. The American revolutionary leader Patrick Henry stated: “It cannot be emphasized too strongly or too often that this great nation was founded not by religionists, but by Christians; not on religions, but on the Gospel of Jesus Christ.”
The men who signed the declaration were men of deep Christian convictions who were willing to give up their lives for the cause. John Adams declared, “The general principles on which the Fathers achieved independence were the general principles of Christianity.” And he added: “This day will be the most memorable epic in the history of America. I am apt to believe that it will be celebrated by succeeding generations as the great anniversary festival.” He felt the celebration should be a religious holiday as a “day of deliverance by solemn acts of devotion to God Almighty.”
And the first prayer of the first Congress went as follows: “O Lord our Heavenly Father, high and mighty King of kings, and Lord of lords, who dost from thy throne behold all the dwellers on earth and reignest with power supreme and uncontrolled over all the Kingdoms, Empires and Governments; look down in mercy, we beseech Thee, on these our American States, who have fled to Thee from the rod of the oppressor and thrown themselves on Thy gracious protection, desiring to be henceforth dependent only on Thee.”
The founders’ sincere petitions to God on behalf of the new nation went on to say: “Be Thou present, O God of wisdom, and direct the councils of this honorable assembly; enable them to settle things on the best and surest foundation. That the scene of blood may be speedily closed; that order, harmony and peace may be effectually restored, and truth and justice, religion and piety, prevail and flourish amongst the people. … All this we ask in the name and through the merits of Jesus Christ, Thy Son and our Savior.”
Today, preserving American liberty depends upon our understanding of the foundations on which this great country was built. George Washington – 1st U.S. President urged the succeeding generations to consider their roots saying: “The propitious smiles of Heaven can never be expected on a nation that disregards the eternal rules of order and right which Heaven itself has ordained” (1833).
The founding Fathers passed on the torch. Now, it is our responsibility to keep it burning.
