Pastor Larry Thompson

As the governors of the various states and territories undertake the challenge of reopening their respective jurisdictions, it is incumbent that they do so in utmost fidelity to the sacred and eternal truth that liberty (both civil and religious) flows not from the fountain of human intellect and decree, but from the sovereign will and breath of Almighty God.

We see this truth revealed all through the Bible.

For 430 years, the pharaohs of ancient Egypt held the children of Israel captive and refused God's call to, “… Let my people go that they may serve me.” (Exodus 9:1)

In His time, however, God heeded Israel's cry for liberation and freedom and spoke to them in these words: “… I am the LORD thy God which hath brought thee out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of bondage.” (Exodus 20:1-2)

Listen to the words spoken by God to His servant and prophet Moses regarding the celebration of the jubilee of the 50th year in Israel: “And ye shall hallow the fiftieth year, and proclaim liberty throughout all the land unto all the inhabitants thereof …” (Leviticus 25:10

A portion of this same verse is engraved on the Liberty Bell in Philadelphia giving undisputed evidence of America's early recognition of the divine origin of liberty.

As governors and local officials prepare to reopen their respective jurisdictions across America, let us hold them up in prayer before God. Let us pray that God will guide them in such a way that the liberty with which He has so richly blessed our nation will not be trampled, but upheld and magnified to His glory.

The Bible tells us, “that men (and women) ought always to pray, and not loose heart. The effectual fervent prayer of a righteousness man (and woman) availeth much.” (Luke 18:1; James 5:16)

As followers of Jesus Christ, we are called to “…earnestly contend for the faith which was once delivered unto the saints.” (Jude 3)

While this is a general command to all believers to “guard” the faith, it is especially incumbent upon those ordained into the ministry of Jesus Christ to “take heed” of their calling and do the same.

Listen as the Apostle Paul writes to the pastors during his farewell address in Ephesus: “Take heed therefore unto yourselves, and to all the flock, over the which the Holy Ghost hath made you overseers, to feed the church of God, which he hath purchased with his own blood.” (Acts 20:28)

Christ died to purchase the liberty of his church, let us live to defend that same liberty!

May God Bless you all.

Pastor Larry Thompson is an ordained minister and member of First Baptist Church of Butler.