Have you ever read a document that has been sent via e-mail regarding the 56 signers of the Declaration of Independence??   The list of what happened to those men because of their courage to “lead” the new birthing nation was incredibly harsh.  As I often do, I was led to check if the given “facts” were true.  Sadly the information given was not completely true according to snopes.com.  I find myself angered when the truth of our finding fathers is not made clear.  It leads to doubt and unbelief concerning our wonderful God blessed foundation.
        Without going into the details of the inaccuracies, let me say that the truth is, those 56 signers of the declaration were surely brave men and they did suffer consequences of the decision they made.  They laid a tremendous foundation and model for future leaders and soldiers who would follow them. 
          Today I challenge both you and me.  Our nation is at a critical crossroads.  It seems everyone is doing what is right in his own eyes. We have either forgotten or for some never have know the truth of our founding fathers.  Here are just a few quotes from just a few of the signers of our Declaration of Independence for your consideration:
          William Livingston was 61 years old when he signed the Declaration of Independence.  He was the first Governor of New Jersey.  He said “The land we posses is the gift of heaven to our fathers, and Divine Providence seems to have decreed it to our latest posterity.”  He knew we “earned” our Independence not because of how great we were but as a gift of God.
          Then there was John Witherspoon of NJ who became a famous educator, clergyman and the president of what is now Princeton College whose official motto was “Under God’s Power She Flourishers”.  He said, “While we give praise to God, the supreme disposer of all events, for His interposition on our behalf, let us guard against the dangerous error of trusting in, or boasting of, an arm of flesh…Whoever is an avowed enemy of God, I scruple not (do not hesitate) to call him an enemy of his country.”
          Therefore in celebration of the anniversary of our nations Independence, I invite you to join me and pray:
1….in obedience to God’s Word, let us pray for the welfare of the place where He planted us, for in its peace we shall have peace. (Jeremiah 29:7)
2….that our national leaders and we His church shall be blessed with the burden to read and know the Word of God which will serve as a lamp unto our feet and a light unto our path. (Psalm 119:105)
3…. give thanks for the firm foundation upon which our nation was built, the gospel of Jesus Christ.  Then consider and pray as the Holy Spirit would lead you, as you review the following scripture:  “According to the grace of God which was given to me, as a wise master builder I have laid the foundation, and another builds on it. But let each one take heed how he builds on it.  For no other foundation can anyone lay than that which is laid, which is Jesus Christ.” (Cor. 3:10-13, NKJ)

Patricia L. Wenzel
WOC Graduate

Some material taken from: America’s God and Country Encyclopedia of Quotations, William J. Federer, FAME Publishing, Inc. 1994In God We Still Trust, A 365 – Day Devotional by
Dr. Richard G. Lee, Countryman, A division of Thomas Nelson Publishers, 2010.
http://www.snopes.com/history/american/pricepaid.asp