“Plead my cause, O LORD, with them that strive with me: fight against them that fight against me. Take hold of shield and buckler, and stand up for mine help.”
Psalm 35:1,2

In July of 1776 the second Continental Congress culminated its work in Philadelphia by drafting the document we now know as the Declaration of Independence.
In that fine document the framers commended themselves to the “protection of Divine Providence” as well as submitted their reasons for separation to “the opinions of mankind” in order that all might see the justness of their cause.
It was only with grave reservation and after great deliberation that they took this bold step “appealing to the Supreme Judge of the world for the rectitude of our intentions.”

We know more about this Congress than we do the one that preceded it and yet the former had set the tenor for the second. Convening in Philadelphia in September of 1774 the congress opened with the reading of Psalm 35 and several hours of prayer.

A historian recorded of that day:
“Washington was kneeling there, and Henry, and Randolph and Rutledge, and Lee and Jay, and by their side there stood, bowed down in deference, the Puritan Patriots of New England, who at that moment had reason to believe that an army of soldiery was wasting their humble households…they prayed fervently for America, for the Congress, for the province of Massachusetts Bay, and especially the town of Boston… ‘it was enough,’ said Mr. Adams, ‘to melt a heart of stone.

I saw the tears gush into the eyes of the old pacific Quakers of Philadelphia.’ John Adams wrote to his wife Abigail, ‘we have appointed a continental fast. Millions will be upon their knees before their great Creator, imploring His forgiveness and blessings; His smiles on American councils and arms.”

Yes, they were a bunch of imperfect white men but the Lord smiled on their endeavor and we have been the recipients of the choicest bounties of heaven. From sea to shining sea He has prospered us a nation. O for a heart to once again seek His forgiveness and blessings.

Because of grace,
Tim

The post September 1774 appeared first on EBCSV.

During these times of accusation, turmoil and uncertainty; I thought it good to remind us all of some civics.
“Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof, or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press, or of the people to peaceably assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances.”
Amendment I, the U.S. Constitution

It has been often noted that the first right expressed in our Bill of rights is the freedom of Religion.
This freedom is foundational to all the rest and on it hangs the strength of our Republic. Without it we would quickly degrade into a swamp of competing interests and radical individualism- a place we are quickly going as this freedom is under relentless attack.

Following on this right is the right of all citizens to freely speak their minds, the press to function without fear and the people to assemble and even seek a redress for wrongs suffered at the hands of government. Interestingly, our founders wisely followed this amendment with the second amendment to give the people the means to enforce it.

During recent years the American people have become increasingly cynical of a press that seems to merely parrot and promote the progressive agenda of elitist leftists who seek to remake our Republic.
After taking over the French republic, Napoleon quipped: “Controlled by the government, a free press becomes a strong ally.” In this oxymoronic statement Napoleon links a “free press” with government control- a statement that almost mirrors exactly where we find ourselves today in America.

So, where does this leave us? It leaves us at a time where the church needs to find its voice again and speak boldly and powerfully.
We stand on the precipice of events that could quickly spiral into the coercive restriction upon almost every one of the rights that were recognized by our founders in the Bill of Rights.

Free speech is being undermined by public shaming of those who do not parrot the partly line. Freedom of assembly is undermined by heavy handed restrictions enacted for our own good in times of crisis.
Those who speak with a different voice are quickly eliminated from social media platforms, and Christian groups that stay committed to Biblical morality are the objects of scorn and derision.

Screw down your hat- this one might buck. It might be more than an 8 second ride.
Because of grace,
Tim

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