Our nation’s ultimate hope

This Saturday, our nation celebrates the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence. Although adopted July 4, 1776, most of the delegates did not actually sign the declaration until nearly a month later, on Aug. 2. Remarkably, all 56 representatives from the 13 colonies signed this extraordinary document.

We celebrate our national heritage not because we are perfect, but because the country often serves as a beacon of freedom and hope in the world. Allow me to share a little-known story from history that James Banks told in his July 4, 2021, “Our Daily Bread Devotional.”

In the early days of our Revolutionary War, an attack on British forces stationed in Quebec was launched. On the way to that battle, the army traveled through Newburyport, Mass. While in that small community, they visited the tomb of George Whitefield, a well-known preacher who had died in 1770. The army did more than visit his tomb; they opened Whitefield’s coffin and stole the preacher’s clerical collar and cuffs, which were cut into small pieces and distributed among the soldiers. At the time, armies believed pieces of the dead pastor’s clothing would guarantee their success in battle.

Carrying Whitefield’s clothing did not produce the desired results, and the army was defeated. Sadly, this is not the first time a nation believed it could win God’s favor by using some religious “good luck charm.” In 1 Samuel 4, the Jewish army concluded that if it took the Ark of the Covenant into battle, it could not lose. Unfortunately, they not only lost the battle but also the Ark of the Covenant.

Both the Continental and Jewish armies demonstrate our tendency to place our faith in religious things instead of trusting God. It is natural for us as citizens of the world’s only remaining superpower to trust in our military might. Still, our survival ultimately depends less on our impressive weapons and soldiers than on God.

I am not suggesting we reduce our military, but I want to remember the words of Israel’s greatest military and political leader, King David, whose perspective is worth recalling today. “Some nations boast of their chariots and horses, but we boast in the name of the Lord our God. Those nations will fall down and collapse, but we will rise up and stand firm.” (Psalm 20:7–8, NLT)

The most powerful armies of David’s day relied on their chariots and horses to win battles. While David strengthened his nation’s military, he did not lose sight of the fact that God was the nation’s ultimate hope. Happy semiquincentennial, my fellow Americans. As we celebrate our nation’s 250th anniversary, may each of us acknowledge that we individually and collectively need God.