General Washington was known as the SWORD of the Revolution,

Jefferson was known as the PEN of the Revolution

But, Henry was known as the VOICE of the Revolution – As a speaker Patrick was said to be “incomparable” to the extent that an allusion used to describe him was the “American Cicero” and that he spoke as “Homer wrote.”

March 23, 1775 before the Virginia House of Burgesses Henry gave his speech that would be forever remembered. It was so impactful, so moving, so impassioned, that one man standing outside and listening through a window made his dying wish to be buried below that window….and he was.

It is in vain, sir, to extenuate the matter. Gentlemen may cry, Peace, Peace²but 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!
– Patrick Henry St. John’s Church, Richmond, Virginia

The “chains” that Henry refers to here are this fledgling country trading one overbearing monarchy for another (he was staunchly against a large central or federal government.) What sin or weakness of flesh do you face? Are you fighting to throw the chains of one sin off only to fall into another? Henry wanted to be known simply as two things: 1) Be a faithful husband, and 2) Be a faithful Christian – on his death bed facing an experimental treatment (mercury) he knew the odds were that he would die, but being sure of who his God was and where he was going said to his Dr. “this is how a Christian faces death.”

I have been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me. And the life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.
(Galatians 2:20 ESV)

For to me to live is Christ (to love Christ is to be obedient to Him, to share the living Gospel of the King – to LIVE it out), and to die is gain (the gain of being in the Holy presence of the King…to be praising His mane one moment then to hear Him speak your name to the Father).
(Philippians 1:21 ESV)

Paul also shared this sentiment, to die to self, consider all things rubbish, live is Christ but to die is gain – to be sanctified. The battle is daily to die for Him, for Jesus! Would you face the enemy and be able to stand on the Word of God? Patrick or Paul were neither “part-time” Christians, these men were so confident, dare I even say comfortable in what they believed in that they were willing to lie down their very lives. The Galatians verse lays it out so powerfully that as a believer, as a Saint, YOU have been crucified with Christ and please understand that it is not you live but He who lives in you. The same Holy Spirit in the Word of God is the same Holy Spirit that lives in you, do you give your all to that same Holy Spirit?

King Jesus,
I pray Father to be filled with the same passion that you filled Paul with, I pray for the same heart that you filled David with. Father God I pray that the American Christian, the American follower would be convicted by your Word and these very Saints would be open, available, and receptive for You to use Your church for a new revival – I pray that our focus would not be on what is wrong with the church but rather that we would simply die to ourselves and BE the same church Your Word shows us…
Amen

Adrian “AG” Green