Many people are familiar with these words from the Declaration of Independence:

“We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable rights, that among these are life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. That, to secure these rights, governments are instituted among men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed. That, whenever any form of government becomes destructive of these ends, it is the right of the people to alter or to abolish it, and to institute new government, laying its foundation on such principles, and organizing its powers in such form, as to them shall seem most likely to effect their safety and happiness.”

This is the most famous passage of the colonists’ declaration of freedom and separation from the tyrannical rule of Britain. However, there is a statement that many people overlook in that document that bears some consideration. At the end of the document, just before the signatures, is this statement:

“And for the support of this declaration, with a firm reliance on the protection of Divine Providence, we mutually pledge to each other our lives, our fortunes, and our sacred honor.”

The men who signed their names to this document were risking everything to fight for what they believed to be right. And if we look at history, we’ll find that many of them lost their lives, lives of family members, homes, and/or their fortunes. They kept their word and lived up to the words of the Declaration of Independence. These were not poor men. Most of them were quite well off, even wealthy. They were successful men who chose to put it all on the line. And many of them lost it all to birth this nation.

Notice that they included the phrase “a firm reliance on the protection of Divine Providence.” Providence was an Old English term for the Lord, so they were speaking of His divine protection and guidance. They were relying on God to guide and protect them in whatever they had to do.

When the righteous are in authority, the people rejoice; But when a wicked man rules, the people groan. Proverbs 29:2 (NKJV)

We are facing similar circumstances today. Will we pledge our lives, our fortunes, and our sacred honor to stand against tyrannical and ungodly rulers? What are we willing to do to remain the land of the free and the home of the brave? Each of us can do something. We can wage spiritual war against the darkness seeking to take over. Let’s commit to stand like our forefathers stood- with a conviction that comes from God and with the strength He provides. Don’t let the enemy win. Jesus Christ is the Lord over this land, and we will overcome the enemy by the power of His might.

Happy Independence Day, and God bless the United States of America!