Is It Still There? (An Independence Day Devotional)

      As we get ready to fly our flags to celebrate our nation’s Independence Day try to picture the conflict 38 years later that occasioned the writing of our national anthem. Major Armistead, the commander of Ft. McHenry, which guarded Baltimore, was preparing for an invasion by superior British forces. He decided to have a flag made, a really big flag, that both British and Americans could see from a long way off. It measured 30 feet by 42 feet and was constructed from 400 yards of banned British wool. It was a statement few could miss.

      Outside the fort, near the mouth of the Potomac River, Francis Scott Key had just successfully negotiated the release of Dr. William Beanes, an American civilian whom the British had captured. But because the British attack was about to begin, Key’s ship was held until the attack was over. September 13, 1814, proved to be a very long day then night. Key and his companions sleeplessly paced the deck while watching the terrible bombardment and wondering if the poorly defended fort had fallen. At dawn, when they could no longer bear the suspense, they caught a glimpse of what Key called the “star-spangled banner” still flying in the distance. He was so moved that he began to write on the back of an envelope, the words of what is now our national anthem.

     Key’s concern for his country was symbolized by a large but increasingly ragged flag flying on the ramparts of a beleaguered and out-gunned fort. Our mistake today is to so worry about the church of Jesus Christ. Throughout history, people have tried to destroy it, but God has always preserved a faithful remnant. He even causes the church to grow when it’s persecuted. The seeds of faith seem to produce the greatest harvest when they’re watered by the tears of suffering saints.

     To the world, the Church sometimes appears to be weakly armed (our weapons are not of this world) and poorly defended (we live by faith and not by sight). However, ultimately the question is not whether the church will survive the world’s attacks. The true Church will prevail against even the gates of hell and in the process will be refined like gold. This time may be painful for some as we learn to separate biblical truths from that which is merely our western culture, and as we learn to minister from a posture of weakness rather than power. A better question for us to ask is: “Will we be a part of the faithful church, the saints (holy ones) of God who will be rewarded as overcomers (Revelation 21:7)?” We can be sure we will overcome the world and its corrupting influences as we respond to Christ’s love by:

• Finding our strength in Christ (Philippians 4:13)
• Finding our hope in Christ (Colossians 1:27; I Timothy 1:1; I John 3:3)
• Finding our life purpose in Christ (Matthew 28:19; Colossians 3:17)
• Finding our value in Christ by the price He has paid for us (I Peter 1:18-19)
• Finding our identity in Christ (2 Corinthians 5:17)
• Finding our acceptance, and approval in Christ (Colossians 3:23-24; Ephesians 1:6)
• Finding our direction and counsel in Christ’s Word (Proverbs 3:5-6; James 1:5)

            No matter the strength of the storm or the fierceness of the attack, “Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever.” (Hebrews 13:8)