Divine Dependence

The Paradox of Freedom in America’s Founding and Faith

Every year on July 4th, Americans come together to commemorate their liberation from the rule of Great Britain. However, though we praise the Declaration of Independence for emphasizing self-reliance, it can also be seen as a testament to the deep reliance on a Creator God.

Reflect upon the opening line, “When in the Course of human events.” This statement establishes a benchmark that surpasses the power of any leader. It implies the existence of a higher law, a natural law, originating from a divine source.

This fundamental document declares that some rights are “self-evident,” i.e., they are part of the human condition and not something a king or queen can grant. This fact suggests that these rights come from a source beyond the control of any human government.

The famous passage “endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights” clearly recognizes the divine source of these fundamental rights. They are not merely gifts from rulers; a higher power has bestowed them upon us.

The second paragraph concludes by appealing to the “Supreme Judge of the world” and recognizing the significance of considering others’ perspectives. This reverence for humanity’s perspective is rooted in a collective faith in a superior ethical framework.

The revolution is fully justified because the king broke the sacred laws governing nature and the divine. The colonists were not rebelling against a rightful authority but rather against a ruler who violated the sacred law.

This perspective highlights the importance of relying on a higher power in various significant ways:

• Origin of Rights: Our rights are not self-derived but instead bestowed upon us by a higher power, implying that we must preserve and protect them.

• Limits of Government: The government aims to safeguard these inherent rights rather than diminish them.

• Emphasizing Accountability: A higher law applies to rulers and the ruled, fostering a more just society.

These concepts shouldn’t surprise anyone familiar with how people express their dependence on God in the Scriptures. Also, God’s word reminds Christians that God has given them freedom; it also guides them by principles of lawfulness and expediency, which prevent them from indulging in their desires without restraint (e.g., 1 Corinthians 10.23).

As we approach our conclusion, we want to highlight various statements from the Bible that show our dependence on God. These scriptures highlight different aspects of our reliance on God, including our need for His guidance, power, wisdom, protection, and existence. They stress the limits of human understanding and ability, contrasting them with God’s all-knowing and all-powerful nature.

Jeremiah 10.23: “I know, O Lord, that a man’s way is not in himself, nor is it in a man who walks to direct his steps.” (NASB95)

This verse acknowledges that humans lack ultimate control over their lives and require God’s guidance.

Acts 17.28: “For in Him we live and move and exist, as even some of your own poets have said, ‘For we also are His children.’” (NASB95)

Paul underscores that we are entirely dependent on God for our very existence.

John 15.5: “I am the vine, you are the branches; he who abides in Me and I in him, he bears much fruit, for apart from Me you can do nothing.” (NASB95)

Jesus employs a metaphor to vividly demonstrate how we rely entirely on Him for spiritual productivity.

Proverbs 3.5-6: “Trust in the Lord with all your heart and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will make your paths straight.” (NASB95)

This passage encourages reliance on God’s wisdom rather than our limited understanding.

Psalm 127:1: “Unless the Lord builds the house, they labor in vain who build it; unless the Lord guards the city, the watchman keeps awake in vain.” (NASB95)

This verse powerfully underscores the uselessness of human endeavors without God’s participation.

Philippians 4.13: “I can do all things through Him who strengthens me.” (NASB95)

Paul admits that his capability to deal with his economic circumstances originates from God, not himself.

2 Corinthians 3:5: “Not that we are adequate in ourselves to consider anything as coming from ourselves, but our adequacy is from God.” (NASB95)

Paul reiterates that all our abilities come from God, not within ourselves.

James 4.13-15: “Come now, you who say, “Today or tomorrow we will go to such and such a city, and spend a year there and engage in business and make a profit.” Yet you do not know what your life will be like tomorrow. You are just a vapor that appears for a little while and then vanishes away. Instead, you ought to say, “If the Lord wills, we will live and also do this or that.” (NASB95)

This passage highlights our inability to control the future and our need to submit to God’s will.

Psalm 46.1: “God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.” (NASB95)

This verse vividly depicts God as our ultimate source of protection and strength, particularly in challenging times.

Isaiah 41.10: “Do not fear, for I am with you; do not anxiously look about you, for I am your God. I will strengthen you, surely I will help you, surely I will uphold you with My righteous right hand.” (NASB95)

God assures us of His presence, strength, and support, indicating our essential need for these divine provisions.

The principles of independence remind us of a profound paradox: our reliance on a higher authority closely connects us to true freedom. The Declaration of Independence acknowledges our freedom from earthly rule and dependence on divine providence. We find this sentiment throughout Scripture, continually reminding us of our reliance on God for guidance, strength, and even our existence. As we celebrate our national independence, let’s also embrace the humility and wisdom that comes from recognizing our ultimate dependence on the Creator. In doing so, we honor the enduring principles that have guided our nation since its beginning and continue to shape our understanding of freedom and equality.