Below is a poem that I wrote for the 4th of July almost exactly four years ago. I had been a bit angered a few weeks prior to Independence Day by some people who insisted that America’s greatness was due to simply courage alone, or bravery, or strength alone. I thought how nearly every country under the sun has claimed to be valiant and strong, and how were we any different? Were we just lucky?

What follows below is a poem of our country’s independence from a Christian perspective, and secondly, how we have sadly fallen away from our roots.

Independence Day

I walked through the land, both fruitful and free,
And asked in my heart, “how came this lib’rty?”
Then said the Great King – and who will hear it?
“Not might, nor power, but by My Spirit.”

“But what of our strength?” before Him I said,
And visions of valor, danced in my head.
“Nay My son, just look to the heathen,”
“For all will defend, to each in his season.”

A search then was made,
And all creatures bade,
Whomever would come,
To find now the sum.

“My life for my cubs,” growled a great bear,
And all they agreed, through war and through wear.
And so it was found, from greatest to least,
A strength for the fight, from man down to beast.

I walked through the land, both fruitful and free,
Again in my heart, “how came this lib’rty?”
“Oh when will you see! – when will you hear it?”
“Not might, nor power, but by My Spirit.”

Of beasts most base,
Our demise to haste,
Had His Spirit not flown,
Had His trumpet not blown.

Had He not seen, from His judgment seat,
Our brave bodies broken: to ravens for meat.
And where had we been, this ‘perilous fight?’
Our blood and our bones, to dogs for delight.

As salt without savor,
As men without favor.
Yet, He wrought with His hand,
Said, “My counsel shall stand.”

Before Him we cried, from doors without locks,
Foes gathered outside, the battle now knocks.
Straightway He heard us, His words He did keep,
“I will not delay, no longer to sleep.”

His anger did seethe,
His sword to unsheathe,
He grinned wide His teeth,
Time full for His heat.

He bit with lion’s cheek,
And tore with eagle’s beak.
His arrows He did spend,
Their armies He did rend.
Upheld our setting sun,
Till His vict’ry we won.

A lesson we learn, taught by descendants,
A warning we hear, of our independence.
Vigilant in keeping, a garden so royal,
For seldom are ceasing, the serpents to spoil.

I saw among living, many were dead,
The land of the free, held captive with lead.
As strongholds of sin, heaped loss upon loss,
Yet none gave regard, our vict’ry the Cross.

Our silver to tin,
Store more and more sin.
Gold into rust,
In riches we trust.

I walked through the heavens, both fruitful and free,
And asked in my heart, “how came this lib’rty?”
“Oh when will you see! – when will you hear it?”
“Not might, nor power, but by My Spirit.”

To meet our Maker,
Our souls to anchor,
Heart’s cleansing soap,
To Jesus our hope.

I’ve completed another chapter in video format, this time the eighth chapter, “Unshade My Light.”

Also, as a supplement, you can find the text version, along with some accompanying Bible verses to read, here.

“When you are lying in My arms, words become superfluous. I shall feel your very heart, and you shall feel Mine. When our hearts are beating as one, there is a language spoken that is sweeter than all words.” (from Tears from a Lonely God – Chapter Six: Come into My Arms.)

How could I possibly put into words what this love truly means? As it is implied, I’m unable to communicate the profound love of God in mere words. But rather, I attempt as if an archaeologist: beginning to border-out and dust off the outlines of an exquisite and grand prize.

So too do I hope to give the silhouette of God’s love, that others might be intrigued by its unsearchable and indescribable richness, and so be driven to press onward to unearth such a prize. And yet, it is not to be unearthed, but rather, unheavened. For it is the gift of God in Christ Jesus, from heaven:

“I am the living bread which came down from heaven: if any man eat of this bread, he shall live for ever: and the bread that I will give is my flesh, which I will give for the life of the world.” -John 6:51

And so I pray, as did the Apostle Paul so long ago, that you would find and know God’s love:

“That Christ may dwell in your hearts by faith; that ye, being rooted and grounded in love, May be able to comprehend with all saints what is the breadth, and length, and depth, and height; And to know the love of Christ, which passeth knowledge, that ye might be filled with all the fulness of God.” -Ephesians 3:17-19

“Why is it that you seek only to hear commands, even when your heart is neither prepared nor willing to perform them?” (from Tears from a Lonely God – Chapter One: Seek My Face.)

I believe that doing God’s true work, and fulfilling His divine will requires training. No, not the type of training that is thought of by the world – not in a classroom. The type of training that I’m thinking of is done in real life, and the teacher is God. It is spiritual, though almost all we can think of and see is visible and carnal.

It may be a course in trust, or patience, or love, or mercy, or wisdom; but most of the time, we are unwilling to wait around on God’s timing. Many times we want to rush on ahead, and do things in our own way, on our own time, and for our own glory. So long as it appears as though it is pleasing to God, and so long as we think that it is probably His will, we will be rewarded.

And yet, God has the opposite planned for us. He is seeking to mold and shape each of His children into able ministers to do His work, and to understand His true will. Many times this will require painful lessons, patience, and submission and trust in God’s wisdom.

“Ye ask, and receive not, because ye ask amiss, that ye may consume it upon your lusts. …Draw nigh to God, and he will draw nigh to you. Cleanse your hands, ye sinners; and purify your hearts, ye double minded. Be afflicted, and mourn, and weep: let your laughter be turned to mourning, and your joy to heaviness. Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and he shall lift you up.” -James 4:3, 8-10