Our great nation, the United States of America, has played a key role in the plan of God in getting the Gospel to the world. Courageous men founded this nation and literally gave their lives for our freedom. United in their quest for freedom, these men took pen in hand and set down in writing the things they believed and stood for as a country. The Declaration of Independence was concluded with these powerful words, …we mutually pledge to each other our lives, our fortunes and our sacred honor.
When I consider these honorable words and what took place in the lives of these men, I am reminded of how blessed we are to live in this great country.
There are a number of parallels between the independence of this country and our independence as believers. First, this country has its roots in God. Second, we recognize that America had and still has a divine call of God on it. God’s plan for America was that it become the leader in taking the Gospel to the world.
Before we could become a nation and fulfill that call, a declaration had to be made. That historic date—July 4, 1776—is a date that went down in history. Every American remembers it as Independence Day. But if you go back and do a little research, you will find it is not when the fighting began, nor when it ended. The war began in April, 1775, but did not end until September, 1783.
Why don’t we celebrate September every year, looking back to 1783 when the fighting ended, our enemies boarded ships and sailed out of our harbors, and the victory was ours?
We celebrate July 4, 1776, the date of the key event which surpassed the beginning or end of the Revolutionary War. It was the day when great men signed their names uniting around a common cause. It was the day they declared in unison that we, the American people, are free. That is what we celebrate, and the same parallel can be seen in the Christian life.
The day you got saved is not when your battle began. The devil has been here for a long time, oppressing and exerting his tyrannical force. He has been doing his best to keep people in bondage. So standing up and saying, “I believe in Jesus” didn’t start your problems and it won’t be the end of your problems.
But let me tell you something—there will come a time in your life that willbe a turning point, and that turning point comes when you stand up and declare your independence from Satan and his work. It won’t be the end of the fight or the end of all problems, but it will be a turning point in your life. When you sign your life to the Word of God and come into agreement with what He has said, and determine to not bow your knee to the devil any longer, your life will change.
Every promise in the Word of God becomes a declaration of independence for the believer. When you stand up and quote according to Malachi 3:10-12 saying, “According to the Word of God, I am a tither and the devourer is rebuked for my sake,” you are making a declaration of independence. Your financial problems didn’t start when you made that declaration, and they won’t necessarily end just because you made that declaration once or twice. BUT, if you will continue to declare what the Word of God says concerning your situation, the time will come when the enemy will sail out of your harbor in defeat!
This is true for any situation you may find yourself in today. If you need healing in your body, boldly declare, by His stripes I AM healed, and don’t stop declaring it. If your children are not walking with God like you know they should, find your promise in the Word of God and declare your independence from Satan and his work in their lives. Whatever the case may be, the God’s Word has your answer!
Freedom always has a price. Jesus shed His precious blood to forever free us from the bondage of Satan. The price has been paid, and now it is up to you and me to declare our independence!