I spent some moments this week re-reading and reflecting on a few of the founding documents of our nation; as well as additional writings by some of the Founders and other great leaders in its history. One of those documents was the Declaration of Independence. The concluding paragraph of that document has only two sentences, one of which is quite long. It’s the only sentence that declares our independence using the word “independent”, and it’s used three times.
“We, therefore, the Representatives of the united States of America, in General Congress, Assembled, appealing to the Supreme Judge of the world for the rectitude of our intentions, do, in the Name, and by Authority of the good People of these Colonies, solemnly publish and declare, That these United Colonies are, and of Right ought to be Free and Independent States; that they are Absolved from all Allegiance to the British Crown, and that all political connection between them and the State of Great Britain, is and ought to be totally dissolved; and that as Free and Independent States, they have full Power to levy War, conclude Peace, contract Alliances, establish Commerce, and to do all other Acts and Things which Independent States may of right do.” (www.archives.gov/founding- docs/declaration-transcript)
As clear as this sentence makes it that our Founders intended this nation would be completely “independent” from Great Britain, the full document clearly declares a total “dependence” on the Creator God. Like so many others, I fear that as a nation, we have departed from that dependence. So this week my prayer is “Sovereign LORD, as you allow us to celebrate our independence as a sovereign nation, please restore our nation’s dependence on YOU. For YOU alone are the One who has created all men and women equal and have endowed us all with the unalienable rights of Life, Liberty, and the pursuit of Happiness. YOU alone have made our country great. Please dear LORD, return our nation to YOU.”