Endowed by Our Creator

For you created my inmost being, you knit me together in my mother’s womb. I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful; I know that full well. My frame was not hidden from you when I was made in the secret place, when I was woven together in the depths of the earth. Your eyes saw my unformed body; all the days ordained for me were written in your book before one of them came to be. Psalm 139:13-16

As we prepare to celebrate July 4th, a day marked by the recognition of freedom and independence, we are reminded of the profound words penned in the Declaration of Independence: "We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness."

These words echo a fundamental truth: our rights—our very existence—are not merely granted by human institutions but are endowed by our Creator. The Psalmist beautifully captures this truth in Psalm 139, where he reflects on the intricate design and purpose woven into each human life by God Himself.

In verse 14, the Psalmist declares, "I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made." This acknowledgment of God's hand in our creation underscores the value of life and the dignity bestowed upon each person by virtue of being created in the image of God.

The rights to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness, as articulated in the Declaration of Independence, are rooted in the foundational belief that our Creator has imbued us with these inherent rights. They are not contingent upon circumstances or granted at the whim of others, but are intrinsic to our identity as creatures made in God's image.

As we celebrate, let us also celebrate the One who has endowed us with the precious gift of life and freedom. Let us strive to protect and promote the rights and dignity of all, reflecting the love and justice of our Creator.

Heavenly Father, we thank You for the freedoms we have. May we remember that true freedom comes from knowing and walking in Your ways. Grant us wisdom and courage to be advocates for justice and righteousness in our communities and beyond. In Jesus' name we pray, Amen.