“We hold these truths to be self-evident” are the words penned primarily by Thomas Jefferson that serve as the preamble of the Declaration of Independence of the United States adopted by the Continental Congress on July 4, 1776. The words were written as the first 13 States were declaring their independence from British colonial rule and regarding themselves as sovereign states. Those iconic and often repeated opening words are followed by these words: “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.”

Without debate or disagreement, we know that as imperfect forefathers, as imperfect people, as imperfect leaders, and as an imperfect nation, we have fallen short of these truths and ideals. As referenced in my June 26, 2026 Voices Against the Grain blog post, “Our 250th: What Exactly Are We Celebrating?”, I lament our failings as a nation even amid many things to celebrate about the United States. It is true. It is true that God has fashioned me to see and speak things as they need to be seen and said without watering it down. I also know that God has fashioned me as an encourager. I love to encourage others! Admittedly, sometimes the encourager needs encouraging. I can only imagine how the Old Testament prophet Jeremiah felt when he said the words, “How long” (Jeremiah 4:12, Jeremiah 11-12) when seeing wickedness and asking when God would address the injustices. The Psalms are also famous for David and Asaph’s words asking “How long, O LORD?,” would God allow wickedness to continue without redress. The despair, grief and frustration they were experiencing is not uncommon to us nor to God.

But there is a greater Truth we must hold on to even when we and others fail to hold to our promises; when we fail to esteem one another as God’s image bearers, as the Imago Dei full of inherent dignity and worth. That truth is that God IS FAITHFUL and that His righteousness and justice WILL PREVAIL. He is fully aware of mankind and is more than able and more than qualified to right situations that look impossible. I am reminded throughout God’s Word, particularly in the Psalms (I am reading the Psalms this summer as part of the “Summer in the Psalms” reading plan with Rachel G. Scott as several others are doing this summer 🙂 ), how David and Asaph would cry out to God, honestly express their feelings and inquiries, and then PIVOT to praise God, fully assured of His faithfulness. God IS faithful to uphold HIS Word and promises! He is true to His CHARACTER. He will hold wickedness accountable. He IS faithful to keep us as we endure between the tension of what we are praying for and believing it will come to pass.

I share the commentary below from the Life Application Study Bible on Jeremiah’s example of endurance in hard times, amid corrupt leaders, amid injustices and persecution. I leave you with this encouragement from Psalm 73:27-28, “Those who are far from you will perish; you destroy all who are unfaithful to you. But as for me, it is good to be near God. I have made the Sovereign LORD my refuge; I will tell of all your deeds.” (NIV)

Endure, pray and be encouraged! God is faithful and just even when man is not.

Forgive us, Lord. Strengthen us to walk in your ways. Please strive with us a while longer. Thank you. In Jesus’ Mighty Name, Amen.

Love and God bless you,

Nicole