The More Glorious The Triumph
You may not know this, but during the American Revolution, only a minority of colonists were on the side of the revolution. Those who fought for freedom were not certain of the loyalty of their friends, neighbors, and even family members- yet they chose to fight and put their lives on the line. Why would they do such a thing? They risked everything because they understood the danger of compromising basic human rights. They understood that freedom is a necessity if people are to live in peace.
I am going to quote a Revolutionary War patriot that many Christians do not quote- and they don’t quote him because there are some questions about his beliefs in Christianity. However, God will even use the pen of an atheist or agnostic to promote His plans. Thomas Paine wrote these famous words: "These are the times that try men's souls: the summer soldier and the sunshine patriot will, in this crisis, shrink from the service of his country…" These are powerful words because they ring true even today. These are indeed the times that try, or test, the souls of us all. It is during times like these that we see who is truly on the Lord’s side.
God is looking for men and women who will rise up and stand for truth. He is calling us to hold fast, even when others are caving in to pressure. We are to be bold and courageous. We must rest in His protection and choose to fear not. The enemy will rage and roar loudly, but he will not harm us if we rely and trust in God. We cannot be what Paine referred to as summer soldiers and sunshine patriots- people who are on the side of right until things get a bit rough. We have to dig our heels in and outlast the wicked. And we will outlast them.
What shall we then say to these things? If God be for us, who can be against us? Romans 8:31 (KJV)
With God on our side, we cannot lose. God is in the fight with us and the battle belongs to Him. It is time for each of us to choose where we stand. Do we stand on the Lord’s side, or do we choose to cower back and remain in bondage? As Christians, the choice should be easy. Allow me to share a longer version of Thomas Paine’s words because I believe it speaks volumes to this decision.
“These are the times that try men’s souls. The summer soldier and the sunshine patriot will, in this crisis, shrink from the service of their country; but he that stands it now, deserves the love and thanks of man and woman. Tyranny, like hell, is not easily conquered; yet we have this consolation with us, that the harder the conflict, the more glorious the triumph.”
Read that again and allow the resolve of those words to get inside you. It is true that the harder the conflict, the more glorious the triumph. But that triumph is even more glorious when we rely on God to do the fighting for us. We must stand now because this is not just for us, but for coming generations. Stand still and see the salvation of your God. Don’t draw back. Don’t run. Just stand. Victory is within our reach.
