Hey beautiful, happy Juneteenth!
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Do you know what Juneteenth is all about? If not, here is a super quick rundown:
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On June 19, 1865 the last of the enslaved people found out they were set free!
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Although the Emancipation Proclamation, which freed all slaves, was read in 1863 some in the southern states were not able to obtain that freedom until 1865 when the Civil War ended.
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Of course there were not computers, televisions, social media, etc. for others to learn of news back then, so for over 2 years some people remained enslaved even though legally they had been made free through the Emancipation Proclamation.
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As I read about these details today to create this email, it reminded me of Daniel 10 when the angel of the Lord came to Daniel saying:
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Then he said to me, βDo not fear, Daniel, for from the first day that you set your heart to understand, and to humble yourself before your God, your words were heard; and I have come because of your words. But the prince of the kingdom of Persia withstood me twenty-one days; and behold, Michael, one of the chief princes, came to help me, for I had been left alone there with the kings of Persia.
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One big parallel I saw between this passage of Scripture and the 2+ years it took for everyone to be truly set free is:
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Even thought he battle had been won (and in Daniel's case the prayer had been answered) the battle was still going on and needed to be fought.
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Hearing the Emancipation Proclamation read + knowing the battle had been won to free all slaves, yet having to continue fighting a war that had already been won must have been tough and frustrating for those still in the war. But they continued to fight until the answer was seen + heard across the entire country. Because they wanted to see every single slave set free. Every person mattered. No one was getting left in slavery.
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Praise God for the freedom that has been granted to ALL! Thank God for those who continued to fight the war and didnβt give up! Praise God for His faithfulness in answering the countless prayers of many who were enslaved that one day they would see freedom!
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So today before you go to bed, I hope youβll thank + praise God for the freedom He gave those in our country so many years ago!
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In Christβs love,
~Sarah Murphy
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