The Times That Try Men’s Souls

THESE are the times that try men’s souls. The summer soldier and the sunshine patriot will, in this crisis, shrink from the service of their country; but he that stands it now, deserves the love and thanks of man and woman. Tyranny, like hell, is not easily conquered; yet we have this consolation with us, that the harder the conflict, the more glorious the triumph. What we obtain too cheap, we esteem too lightly: it is dearness only that gives every thing its value. Heaven knows how to put a proper price upon its goods; and it would be strange indeed if so celestial an article as FREEDOM should not be highly rated.

With these words, Thomas Paine begins his series of tracts entitled The American Crisis, concerning the American Revolution, and some of the most powerful words uttered by any of our nations “Founding Fathers.” Those in America who yearned for freedom from the unjust rule of England faced a formidable struggle, but the rhetoric of Paine and others helped to convince them that it was a worthwhile fight, spurring them to action and ultimately ensuring that the colonists would be free to shape their own destiny.

I always like to read from the works of Paine and others before Independence Day, and yesterday morning before church, my attention was caught by that second sentence:  “Tyranny, like hell, is not easily conquered.” And indeed, the variation on that statement holds true, as well:  “Hell, like tyranny, is not easily conquered.”  Of course, Paine doesn't stop there; he continues with encouragement.  As often happens, God tied things together neatly when my pastor preached a sermon later in the morning entitled “The Righteous Few,” a message offering encouragement in the fight we face as Christians in modern-day America.

Though the situation often seems dismal, we must remember that we have the very Spirit of God in each of us:  “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me” (Philippians 4:13, NKJV). In this fight, Christians have an advantage the colonial revolutionaries did not. My pastor reminded us this morning that Jesus changed the world with just twelve disciples; God often works through “the righteous few.” And finally, may we be encouraged today that—like the patriots who fought for freedom from British oppression—our lifelong struggle and spiritual battle will all be worthwhile, for that which we fight for is something glorious indeed.