“Since national revival begins with Christians comprehensively functioning under God’s rule, it is past time for a new declaration. America was born out of a desire for independence from the tyranny of England. But spiritual revival demands just the opposite. It requires verbal and visible dependence on God. If we want God to bless America, then America must first bless God. This means people must first totally dedicate allegiance to Him…”
Tony Evans in America: Turning a Nation to God (Chicago: Moody, 2015) 177.
Today in America we celebrate our freedom from tyranny. “Freedom” was another word my students celebrated last week in Seoul as we discussed the application of biblical stewardship principles to life. “Functioning under God’s rule” as Evans puts it, sets us free to love, serve, give, and live as God intended. What keeps us from doing this? Our own sin and desire to live independent from God’s plan an pattern for our lives does! Join me today in declaring our dependence on God!
My parents, not perfectly but with passion, verbally and visibly declared their dependence on God since my childhood. I will never forget our delivery truck at Hoag’s Greenhouses when I was growing up. My dad had this verse painted on the back door: If my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and I will forgive their sin and will heal their land. 2 Chronicles 7:14. In your mercy, God, hear our prayer.