A House Built by God

In 1776, a small group of men from throughout the American colonies gathered in Philadelphia to debate the question of declaring independence. Emotions were high on both sides. On July 1 as the debate intensified, Massachusetts delegate John Adams proclaimed his conviction, “before God, I believe the hour has come … I am for the Declaration.”

In their book The Light and the Glory, Peter Marshall and David Manuel describe how a deadlock existed. The outcome was in doubt. But at the last minute, Caesar Rodney, the third Delaware delegate, arrived from his farm and cast the deciding vote for Delaware in favor of independence. Soon, every colony but New York voted for independence.

After the vote had been taken, John Adams’s brother, Samuel, spoke about the importance of God in their decisions: “We have this day restored the Sovereign, to whom alone men ought to be obedient. He reigns in Heaven and…from the rising to the setting sun, may His Kingdom come.”

Today, we remember the boldness and faith of those men who risked everything because of their passion for freedom. We remember that they recognized that their efforts only could be successful if God blessed them. We too must remember that all our efforts are “in vain” unless “the Lord builds the house.”

Right now, pray for our country and our leaders. Pray that as a country, we would turn to God and serve Him wholeheartedly.