OPINION:
Here we are, the week of our nation’s celebration of our Independence from British tyranny and the establishment of a new nation, a grand experiment of self-governance. I woke up to see so many articles and tweets from those who live in this land of freedom but instead of celebrating they choose to dishonor and criticize it.
It is obvious to me that this nation is divided and in need of prayer. My prayer for us as a nation is that in the face of all our challenges, both foreign and domestic, we would be reminded of our great “dependence” upon God and His sovereign hand.
Once upon a time, it was God’s hand that guided our Founding Fathers. That same Providential hand has continued to fashion us forward through the last 247 years, forming us into a more perfect union. Those Founders who courageously signed the Declaration of Independence knew full well the sacrifice required in taking on Britain, the most powerful military force in the world at the time.
In essence, these men were signing their death certificates. And sacrifice they did. Some of them were captured and tortured by the British. Others lost their homes, fields, and even children as casualties to the war. These men who could have chosen comfort and the status quo of the day arose instead to the challenge of their hour and confronted the forces of tyranny in hopes of liberty.
The text of the Declaration of Independence as well as that of the Constitution of the United States clearly evidences these men understood God Himself was providentially guiding them. Even though most of these men were not necessarily devout Christians in the evangelical sense, they knew the task ahead and the enemy before them were more than they could take on in their own strength. In every moment of the impossible Revolution, they turned their hearts toward heaven, and the tide miraculously shifted. They were wholly dependent upon God in their pursuit of independence from tyranny.
Throughout our history as a nation, there have been dangerous moments in which our country was brought to the brink of destruction and division. In such moments as well as in times when we have faced our own weakness and sinfulness, we have seen heaven respond to our recognition of our dependence upon God. Religious revivals and Great Awakenings mark the pages of our history books, reminding us of our spiritual heritage and the faithfulness of God.
Today, we are at one of the most significant intersections in our nation’s history since the 1960s. The 1960s came upon us like a tsunami flooding the shores of our nation with civil rights and political divisions, eastern religious influences, and radical sexual experimentation. Our streets were scorched with the fires of protests and anti-war demonstrations. Our nation mourned the assassination of a president, a civil rights leader, as well as a presidential hopeful. America was reeling, and we her people were trying to just get our feet back on terra firma.
Today, we find ourselves at another crossroads. We are more divided than at any other time in our history. We have forsaken our dependence and recognition of God. Instead, we have declared our independence from Him and from Truth. But I am hopeful today. I am hopeful because I know that the same God who was present in the beginning of this nation, who has visited this nation in revivals past, is willing to move again.
The salve to our broken nation in the 1960s was a revival that broke out among the Hippies on the West Coast. This revival became known as the Jesus Revolution and was documented in 1971 by Time Magazine. Hundreds of thousands of young people who had tried everything the counter-culture movement had to offer turned their hearts to Jesus Christ and found forgiveness, identity, and purpose. This one revival shifted the trajectory of America for an entire generation.
I believe with all my heart that God in His providence is preparing to move across America, one more time. Earlier this year, we saw the sprinkles of revival rains appear at a small Christian college in Wilmore, Kentucky. Asbury University experienced an outpouring of God’s Spirit for several weeks that reminded many of what took place in the late 60s and early 70s. When it dissipated, many wondered, “Was that it?” I believe there is more. I believe that was an invitation from God to return to Him. He was letting us know that He is not done with America and that we are not beyond the point of change. May there be more to come!
In the aftermath of another annual celebration of Independence Day, I am asking God to remind us as a nation of our continued dependence upon Him—that He would move upon this great land one more time. May we as a people respond as our Founding Fathers and those brave revolutionaries did—with soft, humble hearts asking God for mercy and His intervention. There is too much at stake for us to give up hope or accept comfort and status quo. We are the caretakers of freedom for future generations, and courage is the call of the day. But more than just our own efforts and sacrifice, we must also acknowledge our deep dependence upon God as our only Hope. This is how America came to be, and this is how we will continue.
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Lee Cummings is pastor of Radiant Church and Radiant Network. He is also the author of “Give No Rest!”
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