I once read of a lone survivor of a shipwreck who was stranded on a deserted island. He prayed desperately to God with hope for rescue, waited, and watched, but no help appeared in sight.  He finally struggled to build a small hut of driftwood as protection for himself and his meager belongings.

One day after a search for food he discovered his hut was on fire and its smoke billowing skyward. Now hopelessness overcame him.

“God, how could you let this happen me?” he cried and collapsed in deep dispair.

However with the dawn of a new day he saw a ship headed toward the island to rescue him.

When he asked, “How did you know I was here?”

He received this answer: “We saw your smoke signal!”

It is understandable to consider giving up when circumstances seem hopeless, but we mustn’t dispair, because God is still working in all things — even during the darkest times. We must have hope and remember that when our huts are burning down it may produce the smoke signals that bring God’s grace to our rescue.

(Based on MY SAVIOR’S LOVE by Charles Gabriel, Tyndall House Publishers, IL)

Adopted on July 4, 1776, the Declaration of Independence was created with great hope. The courageous signers were expressing hope in basic beliefs that include (1) All men are created equal; (2) All men have basic human rights given to them by God; (3) Government is to be by the consent of the governed; and (4) The only reason to have a government is to protect these basic human rights.

Among those basic human rights Thomas Jefferson specified “life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.” Without  hope for these rights, what chance was there for a group of 13 separate colonies to become a free, independent and unified republic, a beacon on a hill to shine liberty’s light to the world?

The signers’ hope was deep-rooted in faith in the Sovereign God to grant success in the dangerous endeavors they faced. They fully realized that they risked their lives, fortunes, and sacred honor by signing.

The Declaration of Independence and later the Constitution are more than historical documents. They are foundational to America’s continuing liberties. It is right to celebrate the day the Declaration was adopted. Failure to understand the importance of these two documents places us on a slope that slips toward loss of our basic human rights.

To maintain hope for America’s freedoms, we must maintain belief in the documents that form the foundation upon which our country stands.

Without hope on July 4, 1776, there would have been no United States of America, and without hope today there will be no United States tomorrow.

One Sunday morning in January 1776 John Muhlenberg, a colonial Virginia pastor, wore the traditional black clerical robe as usual. He preached from Ecclesiastes, chapter 3 that reads there is a time for all things… a time to be born… to die… to plant… to harvest.

He declared, “There’s a time of war and a time of peace. There is a time for all things, a time to preach and a time to pray.  But there is also a time to fight, and that time has now come!”

With those words Muhlenberg did the unusual as he disrobed before his congregation. He removed his black robe that he wore over a colonial officer’s full dress uniform.  He left his pulpit and appealed to the men of his congregation to fight for independence from British tyranny.

The pastor then left the church, and the men followed. In fact, three hundred men followed Colonel Muhlenberg to form the 8th Virginia regiment. Muhlenberg bravely led those men throughout the Revolutionary War of Independence, was promoted to Major General, and became one of Washington’s most valuable commanders in the Continental Army.

John Muhlenberg did what he did, because he had hope for independence from tyranny — hope for liberty.

As we celebrate the birthday of that new nation for which patriots like Muhlenberg fought, may we Americans always carry in our own hearts the hope to maintain a free United States of America, to return to God as a nation, and to continue to enjoy liberty in the land of the free and the home of the brave. God bless the USA!

By the way the Black Robed Regiment was the name given by the British because of the large number of pastors leading in the fight for Independence.

Go to wallbuilders.com; theresonancemovement.com; or blackrobereg.org to learn more about the Black Robed Regiment (also called Black Robed Brigade.)

“Look backward in forgiveness, forward in hope, down in compassion, and up with gratitude.” (Ziglar)

“Hope is the power that gives a person confidence to step out and try.” (Ziglar)

“Encouragement is the fuel upon which hope runs.” (Ziglar)

Zig Ziglar, top motivational speaker, grew up attending church but didn’t become a Christian until July 4, 1972, at age 45. “That was the missing ingredient. Everything changed for the better,” Zig proclaimed. Faith in Christ helped him see that true success can’t be bought and identified it as peace of mind. For decades he inspired millions by public speaking, by appearing on radio and television, and by authoring more than 30 books.

I was privileged to hear Zig in person when he was in his 80’s  and after admiring him for as long as I could remember. I knew he taught that it’s not what happens to you that matters but how you respond to what happens that makes a difference. Now I saw first-hand proof that his actions matched his words as I watched his struggle to communicate onstage with short-term memory loss caused by an accidental injury.

Maintaining a positive attitude he now adjusted his presentation with help from his daughter, who kept him on track. Zig courageously continued to do what he had become the best at doing… motivating, inspiring, giving hope — responding positively and not reacting negatively by giving up. He embraced the struggle. He was walking the talk and continuing to impact others in positive ways. His smile, example, and message of hope were his legacy that blessed our planet.