Unless the Lord watches over the city, the watchman stays awake in vain. – Psalm 127:1
The Assyrian armies were battle-hardened soldiers and were said to make the bravest men tremble. They had ravaged cities in Israel and had now come to Jerusalem and were ready to sack the city. King Hezekiah, who had begun his reign over Judah around 715 B.C., did what was right in the eyes of the Lord (2 Kings 18:3).
After much prayer, he told the people: “Be strong and courageous… With [Assyria] is an arm of flesh, but with us is the Lord our God” (2 Chronicles 32:7-8).
Centuries later, it is said that Oliver Cromwell, a British commander in the 1600s, once instructed his men, “Trust in God, and keep your powder dry.” In essence, he was saying that they should do all that they could do to fight the enemy, and not fix their trust in what they were doing but in the power of God. That is what will make all efforts effective.
On this Independence Day, it is good to pause and reflect on this nation and its founding. President George Washington said, in 1789, “It is the duty of all Nations to acknowledge the providence of Almighty God, to obey his will, to be grateful for his benefits, and humbly to implore his protection and favors.” And so it should be in 2023. No endeavor of yours will have any impact unless you stand with the Lord and obey His will.
Acknowledge His goodness, thank Him for the grace that has been yours, and pray for protection against the evil forces that seek to unravel the fabric of America’s heritage. Your prayers are not in vain when your trust is in the Lord.
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