Pat Propster: Declare our independence, but not from God

Independence. What an interesting word. When its preceded by “Declaration of” it takes on a whole new meaning than what we are seeing today. What we are seeing today is a society that wants independence from everything and commitment to nothing. The problem with that is that independence, as we know it as a nation, wasn’t free, didn’t come easy, and had a foundation that was worth fighting, paying, and dying for.

Ronald Reagan said, “If we ever forget that we are one nation under God, then we will be a nation gone under.” Noah Webster said, “Education is useless without the Bible.” Harvard University in 1642 said, “Let every student be plainly instructed, and earnestly impressed to consider well, the main end of his life and studies is, to know God and Jesus Christ, which is eternal life.” Benjamin Franklin in 1747 at the Constitutional Convention said, “I therefore beg leave to move that henceforth prayers imploring the assistance of heaven, and its blessing on our deliberations, be held in the Assembly every morning ...” Thomas Jefferson, seven years prior to that statement, said, “I tremble for my country when I reflect that God is just; that His justice cannot sleep forever.” Abraham Lincoln in 1863 wrote in his proclamation for a National Fast these words, “It behooves us then to humble ourselves before the offended power, to confess our national sins and pray for clemency and forgiveness ...”

It is my prayer that as each of you read the quotes that it would spur you on to the title and theme above this column: Faith and Insight. May our faith increase in our beloved Lord, Savior, Jesus Christ. May these quotations increase your insight on how this wonderful nation was founded and grounded that it may continue to do so. As we declare our independence from tyrannies, be them from abroad or within our own boarders, may we never declare our independence from the One who truly gives us liberty, that we would truly be just with and for all.

I personally have come to a place where I declare openly, faithfully and wholeheartedly my absolute dependence upon Jesus Christ. Be blessed in the Lord Jesus Christ, and may we ask His favor upon our nation. May we P-praise His glorious name, R-repent of our ways that are not His ways, A-ask Him for His favor and blessings, Y-yield to His direction and glorious providential and Sovereign Hand. And may we do this without ceasing for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.

Pat Propster is the pastor of Calvary Chapel of Carson City.