DECLARATION OF
DEPENDANCE
The United States Declaration of Independence was an act of the Second Continental Congress, adopted on July 4, 1776, which declared that the Thirteen Colonies were independent of the Nation of Great Britain. The document, formally entitled The Unanimous Declaration of the Thirteen United States of America, and written chiefly by Thomas Jefferson, explained the justifications for secession from the British crown, and was an expansion of Richard Henry Lee’s Reso-lution (passed by Congress on July 2), which first proclaimed independence. An engrossed copy of the Declaration was signed by most of the delegates on August 2 and is now on display in the National Archives and Records Administration in Washington, D.C.
Have you ever wondered what happened to the 56 men who signed the Declaration of Independence? Five signers were captured by the British as traitors, and tortured before they died. 12 had their homes ransacked and burned. Two lost their sons serving in the Revolutionary Army; another had two sons captured. Nine of the 56 fought and died from wounds or hardships of the Revolutionary War.
What kind of men were they? 24 were lawyers and jurists. 11 were merchants, nine were farmers and large plantation owners; men of means, well-educated. But they signed the Declaration of Independence knowing full well death would be the cost if captured.
Such were the stories and sacrifices of the American Revolution. These were not wild-eyed, rabble-rousing ruffians. They were soft-spoken men of means and education. They had security, but they valued liberty more. Standing tall, straight, and unwavering, they pledged: “For the support of this declaration, with firm reliance on the protection of divine providence, we mutually pledge to each other, our lives, our fortunes, and our sacred honor.” The signature of John Hancock on the Declaration of Independence is the most flamboyant and easily recognizable of all. It is perhaps no surprise that the story of his part in the revolution is equally engaging. Few figures were more known or more popular than John Hancock. A decree had been delivered from England in early 1776 offering a large reward for the capture of several leading figures. Hancock was one of them. On signing the Declaration he commented, “The British ministry can read that name without spectacles; let them double their reward.”
In a real sense Joshua in the Bible did the same thing in Joshua 24:14, 15. He was publicly declaring his stand for God and challenging others to do the same. Psalm 107:2 declares, “Let the redeemed of the LORD say so, whom he hath redeemed from the hand of the enemy;” The word declaration means to make known publicly. Dependence means to trust. Trust is an expression of faith. Joshua was saying, “Have FAITH in God.” Publicly put your trust in Him. So, as we celebrate this weekend the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence, we need to be willing to publicly make a Declaration of Dependance on God.
Billy Kryger became the Pastor of Berean Baptist Church in 2019. He has been married to Rebekah (who he met on the internet before internet dating sites were a thing) for 27 years. Billy and Beka have three grown children and are Poppy and Minkie to four amazing grandchildren. Pastor Billy has earned B.A., Th.M., Th.D. and D.Min. degrees, and is currently doing the work for a third doctorate.