Dr. Billy Holland

Celebrating Independence Day is always a highlight of the summer season. It is truly a time of celebration as we are thankful for the decisions that were made by Congress and the courage and faith these men presented as they declared to the world the United States wanted the freedom to become a sovereign nation. When the initial battles in the Revolutionary War broke out in April 1775, few colonists desired complete independence from Great Britain, and those who did were considered radical. By the middle of the following year, however, many more colonists had come to favor independence, thanks to growing hostility against Britain and the spread of revolutionary sentiments such as those expressed in the bestselling pamphlet "Common Sense" published by Thomas Paine in early 1776.

On June 7, when the Continental Congress met at the Pennsylvania State House (later Independence Hall), the Virginia delegate Richard Henry Lee introduced a motion calling for the colonies' independence. Amid heated debate, Congress postponed the vote on Lee's resolution, but appointed a five-man committee, including Thomas Jefferson of Virginia, John Adams of Massachusetts, Roger Sherman of Connecticut, Benjamin Franklin of Pennsylvania, and Robert R. Livingston of New York, to draft a formal statement justifying the permanent break with Great Britain. On July 4th, the Continental Congress formally adopted the now infamous Declaration of Independence (written largely by Jefferson). Though the vote for actual independence took place on July 2nd, from then on the 4th became the official day that was celebrated as the birth of American independence.

We realize that many people are more caught up in the festivities of cook-outs, and fireworks for the occasion and of course, this year the Federal holiday falls on Friday and is a fun time to enjoy a three-day weekend. I just want to add that while we are appreciating this wonderful blessing from God, it would be good to keep this nation in our prayers. A lot is going on in our country right now and much of it is associated with hatred, rebellion, and disagreement. I do not want to get into all the details, but I'm sure you know what I'm referring to. I realize there has always been differing sides when it comes to politics, and the dividing line of hostility has never been more clear, as we see state and federal judges who are opposing most everything that our new administration is trying to do.

There is also another annual event that is important especially for those who consider themselves to embrace the Christian faith, but there is a good chance you will not hear much about it. This year the United States will celebrate the 70th official anniversary of "In God We Trust" as our National motto established was a law passed by the eighty-fourth congress and approved by President Dwight D. Eisenhower on July 30, 1956. For those who are followers of Christ, we are confident this declaration originates from the Bible with passages such as Psalm chapter 16 and verse 1 that says, "Preserve me, O God: for in Thee do I put my trust." As Christians we believe when God said that vengeance is His judgment, as we fight evil on our knees in prayer and depend on His power to accomplish His will.

Isaiah chapter 5 uses a prophetic oracle delivered through the metaphor of a vineyard to describe a time when Israel became rebellious. God, the owner of the vineyard (representing Israel), is disappointed because his vineyard produced wild grapes instead of the expected good fruit. This symbolizes the Israelites' failure to live up to their covenant with God, characterized by injustice, greed, and a disregard for God's law. The chapter includes a series of "woes," which are pronouncements of judgment against specific sins, and ultimately foreshadows God's judgment and the consequences of their actions. One of the sins we notice in verses 20-21 was being confused as to what is right and wrong. "Woe unto them that call evil good, and good evil; that put darkness for light, and light for darkness; that put bitter for sweet, and sweet for bitter. Woe unto them that are wise in their own eyes, and prudent in their own sight." Our freedom is not so we can do whatever we want. We are free to serve and worship God. The world wants no rules or laws, but God's people are focused on Romans 12:9, "Let love be genuine. Abhor what is evil; hold fast to what is good."

Dr. Holland is an ordained minister, chaplain, and author. Read more about the Christian life at billyhollandministries.com.