Polarities abound in today’s culture. And people hold to their beliefs about why whatever their stand is, is correct. And yes we live in a tense time, but it is not the first tense time. And this is no time to step away from making your voice heard, from signing the petition that matters to you, and especially from casting your vote.

A large percentage of members of all parties don’t cast a vote. Perhaps they believe it will not make a difference. Perhaps they believe the government involvement is not their thing. Perhaps they believe the problems they see are not theirs to resolve. Yet, that’s a very different belief than what began this nation.

Many of the Founding Fathers were very young. In 1776, Alexander Hamilton was 21, Aaron Burr only 20 and Thomas Jefferson, 33. Other leaders were middle aged, George Washington, 44, John Adams, 41. Yet, had these taken a position some take today, this country with its freedoms never would have been.

Listen to this singular voice and allow his rhetoric to stir your heart to stand, to fight for the freedoms we have, and to do so by your vote. Truly, great things can happen through a single vote.

At the Virginia Convention, March 23, 1775, held at St. John’s Church in Richmond, Virginia, 39- year-old Patrick Henry addressed the convention’s president, Peyton Randolph of Williamsburg, and the others present memorably and eloquently:

“The question before the House is one of awful moment to this country. For my own part, I consider it as nothing less than a question of freedom or slavery; and in proportion to the magnitude of the subject ought to be the freedom of the debate.

“It is only in this way that we can hope to arrive at truth, and fulfil the great responsibility which we hold to God and our country. Should I keep back my opinions at such a time, through fear of giving offence, I should consider myself as guilty of treason towards my country, and of an act of disloyalty toward the majesty of heaven, which I revere above all earthly kings.

“Sir, we have done everything that could be done, to avert the storm which is now coming on.

• We have petitioned;

• we have remonstrated;

• we have supplicated;

“we have prostrated ourselves before the throne, and have implored its interposition to arrest the tyrannical hands of the ministry and Parliament.

“Our petitions have been slighted; our remonstrances have produced additional violence and insult; our supplications have been disregarded; and we have been spurned, with contempt, from the foot of the throne. In vain, after these things, may we indulge the fond hope of peace and reconciliation. There is no longer any room for hope.

“If we wish to be free², if we mean to preserve inviolate those inestimable privileges for which we have been so long contending, if we mean not basely to abandon the noble struggle in which we have been so long engaged, and which we have pledged ourselves never to abandon until the glorious object of our contest shall be obtained, we must fight! I repeat it, sir, we must fight! An appeal to arms and to the God of Hosts is all that is left us!

“They tell us, sir, that we are weak; unable to cope with so formidable an adversary. But when shall we be stronger? Will it be the next week, or the next year? Will it be when we are totally disarmed, and when a British guard shall be stationed in every house? Shall we gather strength by irresolution and inaction? Shall we acquire the means of effectual resistance, by lying supinely on our backs, and hugging the delusive phantom of hope, until our enemies shall have bound us hand and foot?

“Sir, we are not weak if we make a proper use of those means which the God of nature hath placed in our power. Three millions of people, armed in the holy cause of liberty, and in such a country as that which we possess, are invincible by any force which our enemy can send against us. Besides, sir, we shall not fight our battles alone.

“There is a just God who presides over the destinies of nations; and who will raise up friends to fight our battles for us. The battle, sir, is not to the strong alone; it is to the vigilant, the active, the brave. Besides, sir, we have no election. If we were base enough to desire it, it is now too late to retire from the contest. There is no retreat but in submission and slavery! Our chains are forged! Their clanking may be heard on the plains of Boston! The war is inevitable and let it come! I repeat it, sir, let it come.

“It is in vain, sir, to extenuate the matter. Gentlemen may cry, Peace, Peace but there is no peace. The war is actually begun! The next gale that sweeps from the north will bring to our ears the clash of resounding arms! Our brethren are already in the field! Why stand we here idle? What is it that gentlemen wish? What would they have? Is life so dear, or peace so sweet, as to be purchased at the price of chains and slavery? Forbid it, Almighty God! I know not what course others may take; but as for me, give me liberty or give me death!”

https://www.owleyes.org/text/speech-to-the-second-virginia-convention/read/text-of-henrys-speech#root-12

His final words continued to ring throughout history. And this moment brought about a decision to stand against the then world super power. In an era when freedoms are being stripped away, perhaps it is time to recall such a bold statement. Step up, stand up, be bold — cast your vote against what you see as tyranny and for what you believe will bring hope. Truly, no political system brings salvation, but God does turn the hearts of kings and leaders. So, stand! Perhaps we will see Psalm 63:11 fulfilled as “the mouths of liars will be silenced.”