My Declaration of Independence

A large number of people under the British jurisdiction longed for their freedom to worship. They sought to move their families and few belongings to the new lands of America with a dream for peace and independence. More and more people began to settle the eastern lands of America, but always with the control and upper hand of British control. The demands placed upon the lives of the Americans became so intense that they began to rebel. Their rebellion led to more intense British control enforced by their military. Battles began to be fought; the battles we now call the American Revolutionary War. Many men lost their lives for the cause of liberty.

Richard Henry Lee presented his resolution to the convening Congress meeting in Philadelphia on June 7, 1776, urging them to declare independence from Britain. The Declaration of Independence was drafted, presented to the Congress, and revised after debate. On July 2, Congress declared their independence just as the British fleet and army arrived in New York. Congress adopted the Declaration of Independence on July 4th, signed by 56 men representing all 13 colonies. The very next day, copies of the Declaration were sent to New Jersey and Delaware. The Pennsylvania Evening Post printed the first newspaper rendition of the Declaration of Independence. It was read to the American armies in New York. Copies were sent to the rest of the states by January 18, 1777.

Okay, so America has a Declaration of Independence; does that mean their enemy boarded their ships and headed back to Britain? No, that wasn’t the case at all. Many wars were fought up to 1781, with the Battle of Yorktown being the last battle. The war lasted for eight years, but from the signing of the Declaration of Independence to the last battle it was seven years; seven, a Biblical number for completion.

The word “declaration” means a formal or explicit statement or announcement; a broadcasting. America formally declared that they were “Absolved from all Allegiance to the British Crown…with a firm reliance on the protection of divine Providence…” They penned their desires, came into agreement with their American brethren, broadcasted their declaration, and fought the enemy that would attempt to oppose them.

I believe that we can see some Biblical Truths in this historical review of our Declaration of Independence. First of all, what are the desires of our heart? Second, do those desires line up with Scripture? Third, are we tired enough of living in bondage to depression, fear, anger, sickness, lack, etc.? The Bible IS Truth -- God’s Declaration to us. We may have a desire, but do we have a STRONG desire? So strong, that we are willing to present our desire as a petition before God in the name of Jesus, believe we receive it, find other believers who will agree with us, write our desire [declaration] down, give God praise and glory as if it’s already done on earth, and finally, war against our enemy (the devil) in Jesus’ name and by God’s Word? (See Jn. 16:23; Mk. 11:22-24; Mt. 18:19; 1 Jn. 5:14&15 [petitions – declaration]); Phil. 4:6&7; and Mt. 18:18, Lk. 10:18&19, 1 Tim. 6:12). It is time to gain your independence in Christ! I urge you to declare your freedom from any hindrance or bondage in Jesus’ name. Be determined to stand “and having done all, to stand. Stand therefore” (Eph. 6:13&14). Amen! (to be continued).