Duty with Dependence
“Resistance to tyranny becomes the Christian and social duty of each individual. Continue steadfast and, with a proper sense of your dependence on God, nobly defend those rights which heaven gave, and no man ought to take from us.”
— John Hancock, 1st Signer of the Declaration of Independence
Independence Day, for many Americans, is synonymous with grilled meat, baked beans, potato salad, lawn chairs and fireworks. Perhaps a watermelon thrown in for good measure.
While celebrating in such a fashion is certainly enjoyable, Independence Day is meant to remind us of our hard-fought liberation from oppression. Without the valiant effort of many — both in thought and deed — and a keen awareness of justice in God’s eyes, where would we be?
The baton was passed to us by Hancock, and others, to continue to fight on behalf of the oppressed. He considered it a duty, Christian and social. And he urged us to resist tyranny with a proper sense of our dependence on God.
In the wake of this year’s celebration, we would do well to remember that while we sat comfortably in the back yard, indulging in feast of burgers and brownies, there are still many the world over who live under a yoke of oppression — without freedom or food.
God, even more than Hancock, charges us to stand against the injustices of our world. We must do so in obedience and with humble dependence, persevering until Jesus returns to liberate us unto the Father Himself.
Learn to do good; seek justice, correct oppression; bring justice to the fatherless, plead the widow’s cause. — Isaiah 1:17 ESV
Kirsten – I love your heart on this subject. As we sat watching the massive – and expensive display – of fireworks last night (on TV and then live), I found myself choked up as I considered the true significance of those beautiful booming night sky lights. …and considered for many other nations at war how those sounds are not of celebration, but carry fear. I thought of an interview with Jay Sekulow that I heard earlier this week, during which he told the story of a couple from a Middle Eastern country he defended…They had read the bible together in their home, and managed to escape authorities and to make it to America. Immigration planned to deport them to their home country, which would have been a certain death sentence for them both. We are so incredibly blessed…and I know I take it for granted on a daily basis. I, for one, am grateful for the day our nation sets aside to remember and reflect. I realize many people do as you described – simply celebrate. But I’m with you. Independence day – for all its celebration must also be a day for reflection and thankfulness. And, yes, it’s in those moments we must contemplate what we each, individually can do to make this world better…under God.
Gosh, Jeannette: you painted a stunning visual picture for us. Gave me an idea, too: I think next year I’ll Forgo buying the backyard sparklers and instead send the money to a justice cause.
Kirsten – I love your heart on this subject. As we sat watching the massive – and expensive display – of fireworks last night (on TV and then live), I found myself choked up as I considered the true significance of those beautiful booming night sky lights. …and considered for many other nations at war how those sounds are not of celebration, but carry fear. I thought of an interview with Jay Sekulow that I heard earlier this week, during which he told the story of a couple from a Middle Eastern country he defended…They had read the bible together in their home, and managed to escape authorities and to make it to America. Immigration planned to deport them to their home country, which would have been a certain death sentence for them both. We are so incredibly blessed…and I know I take it for granted on a daily basis. I, for one, am grateful for the day our nation sets aside to remember and reflect. I realize many people do as you described – simply celebrate. But I’m with you. Independence day – for all its celebration must also be a day for reflection and thankfulness. And, yes, it’s in those moments we must contemplate what we each, individually can do to make this world better…under God.
Kirsten – I love your heart on this subject. As we sat watching the massive – and expensive display – of fireworks last night (on TV and then live), I found myself choked up as I considered the true significance of those beautiful booming night sky lights. …and considered for many other nations at war how those sounds are not of celebration, but carry fear. I thought of an interview with Jay Sekulow that I heard earlier this week, during which he told the story of a couple from a Middle Eastern country he defended…They had read the bible together in their home, and managed to escape authorities and to make it to America. Immigration planned to deport them to their home country, which would have been a certain death sentence for them both. We are so incredibly blessed…and I know I take it for granted on a daily basis. I, for one, am grateful for the day our nation sets aside to remember and reflect. I realize many people do as you described – simply celebrate. But I’m with you. Independence day – for all its celebration must also be a day for reflection and thankfulness. And, yes, it’s in those moments we must contemplate what we each, individually can do to make this world better…under God.
Kirsten – I love your heart on this subject. As we sat watching the massive – and expensive display – of fireworks last night (on TV and then live), I found myself choked up as I considered the true significance of those beautiful booming night sky lights. …and considered for many other nations at war how those sounds are not of celebration, but carry fear. I thought of an interview with Jay Sekulow that I heard earlier this week, during which he told the story of a couple from a Middle Eastern country he defended…They had read the bible together in their home, and managed to escape authorities and to make it to America. Immigration planned to deport them to their home country, which would have been a certain death sentence for them both. We are so incredibly blessed…and I know I take it for granted on a daily basis. I, for one, am grateful for the day our nation sets aside to remember and reflect. I realize many people do as you described – simply celebrate. But I’m with you. Independence day – for all its celebration must also be a day for reflection and thankfulness. And, yes, it’s in those moments we must contemplate what we each, individually can do to make this world better…under God.
Kirsten – I love your heart on this subject. As we sat watching the massive – and expensive display – of fireworks last night (on TV and then live), I found myself choked up as I considered the true significance of those beautiful booming night sky lights. …and considered for many other nations at war how those sounds are not of celebration, but carry fear. I thought of an interview with Jay Sekulow that I heard earlier this week, during which he told the story of a couple from a Middle Eastern country he defended…They had read the bible together in their home, and managed to escape authorities and to make it to America. Immigration planned to deport them to their home country, which would have been a certain death sentence for them both. We are so incredibly blessed…and I know I take it for granted on a daily basis. I, for one, am grateful for the day our nation sets aside to remember and reflect. I realize many people do as you described – simply celebrate. But I’m with you. Independence day – for all its celebration must also be a day for reflection and thankfulness. And, yes, it’s in those moments we must contemplate what we each, individually can do to make this world better…under God.
Gosh, Jeannette: you painted a stunning visual picture for us. Gave me an idea, too: I think next year I’ll Forgo buying the backyard sparklers and instead send the money to a justice cause.
Thanks for sharing your heart, Kirsten. Today we said goodbye to my daughter’s boyfriend, a recent West Point graduate. He goes off to basic officer leadership training in Missouri and will be gone until Christmas. After the holidays, his unit is scheduled to be deployed to Afghanistan. We prayed faithfully while he was at WP, but will pray even more fervently now.
Freedom isn’t free. Ever.
Thanks for sharing your heart, Kirsten. Today we said goodbye to my daughter’s boyfriend, a recent West Point graduate. He goes off to basic officer leadership training in Missouri and will be gone until Christmas. After the holidays, his unit is scheduled to be deployed to Afghanistan. We prayed faithfully while he was at WP, but will pray even more fervently now.
Freedom isn’t free. Ever.
Thanks for sharing your heart, Kirsten. Today we said goodbye to my daughter’s boyfriend, a recent West Point graduate. He goes off to basic officer leadership training in Missouri and will be gone until Christmas. After the holidays, his unit is scheduled to be deployed to Afghanistan. We prayed faithfully while he was at WP, but will pray even more fervently now.
Freedom isn’t free. Ever.
Thanks for sharing your heart, Kirsten. Today we said goodbye to my daughter’s boyfriend, a recent West Point graduate. He goes off to basic officer leadership training in Missouri and will be gone until Christmas. After the holidays, his unit is scheduled to be deployed to Afghanistan. We prayed faithfully while he was at WP, but will pray even more fervently now.
Freedom isn’t free. Ever.
Susan, I’ll join you in praying for his safety. That service is a blessing that we fail to acknowledge, lulled to complacency through the hard-fought safety. Thanks for putting a virtual face on it for us!
Thank you for the great quotes from Hancock, and more importantly, Isaiah. We can get so easily complacent in our freedom and our comfort. Your words remind us of what we need to remember this holiday. Thanks also for stopping by my blog! I love your portmanteau “wrimples”! 😉
Thank you for the great quotes from Hancock, and more importantly, Isaiah. We can get so easily complacent in our freedom and our comfort. Your words remind us of what we need to remember this holiday. Thanks also for stopping by my blog! I love your portmanteau “wrimples”! 😉
Thank you for the great quotes from Hancock, and more importantly, Isaiah. We can get so easily complacent in our freedom and our comfort. Your words remind us of what we need to remember this holiday. Thanks also for stopping by my blog! I love your portmanteau “wrimples”! 😉
And thank YOU for stopping by here, Julia!