“We’ve got some difficult days ahead. But it really doesn’t matter with me now, because I’ve been to the mountaintop. And I don’t mind. Like anybody, I would like to live a long life; longevity has its place. But I’m not concerned about that now. I just want to do God’s will. And He’s allowed me to go up to the mountain. And I’ve looked over. And I’ve seen the Promised Land! I may not get there with you, but I want you to know tonight, that we, as a people, will get to the Promised Land! So I’m happy tonight, I’m not worried about anything! I’m not fearing any man! Mine eyes have seen the glory of the coming of the Lord!” (Dr. MLK Jr.)

And such was the last speech delivered by this great Civil Rights leader on the eve of his assassination, on April 3, 1968, at the Mason Temple (Church of God in Christ Headquarters) in Memphis, Tennessee. How ironic that he would speak of his own death just before it came to pass.

But like Moses, Dr. King was permitted to see what was to come, by faith in a Sovereign God. The same God who delivered the Israelites out of the bonds of slavery under Pharaoh. God did not leave His people without hope; however, along the road they tread. Despite obstacles and barriers to their freedom. Despite the hatred of their oppressors. Despite what many times may have seemed hopeless, but yet while walking through the dark valley of the shadow of death, there was no need to fear any evil, because the rod and staff of our Comforter as a people, would guide and protect us, and lead us into the promised land.

Stony the road we trod,
Bitter the chastening rod,
Felt in the days when hope unborn had died;
Yet with a steady beat,
Have not our weary feet
Come to the place for which our fathers died.
We have come over a way that with tears has been watered,
We have come, treading our path through the blood of the slaughtered,
Out from the gloomy past,
’Til now we stand at last
Where the white gleam of our bright star is cast.

(Excerpt from the Black National Anthem)

The greatest testimony of our people has been our ability to overcome, despite the obstacles placed before us intended for our failure. And yet we have overcome, and continue to overcome, and will remain overcomers despite any current obstacles. We’ve been here before. We’ve been victimized but have refused to remain in victim mode.

Those who have worked against our success have falsely accused us of playing “the victim card” when we recognize and acknowledge the reality of racism/white supremacy at an institutionalized systemic level and seek to address it for the betterment of our collective nation. We’ve had to constantly fight against such misrepresentations and strawman tactics used to dismiss our legitimate causes. We’ve dealt with not only strawmen but red herring tactics to throw us off course and distract us.   

But God. The God who identified Himself to Moses atop of Mt. Sinai as the Great “I Am,” who has proven Himself time and time again, that He is anything we need Him to be, including our deliver out of the demonic hands of bondage and enslavement, of not only our bodies but our shackled minds.

Romans 12:2a Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind.

Our minds were set free by the truth of God’s Word, by the reality of the Imago Dei, the image of God, found within each of us, despite the language of any laws of man stating otherwise, and falsely defining us as property. We rose above those claims and showed our best selves as a people reaching the greatest heights this nation had to offer, all the way up to the presidency of these United States.

But our struggle is not over, and for every step forward there are always those demonic forces seeking to push us back, back toward a position of inferiority. But we have determined with a sound mind and clear image of that which has been promised that we will never go back. We have purchased a one-way ticket with the blood, sweat, and tears of our ancestors on a train destined for the promised land, and no weapon formed against us will prosper.    

Our nation is currently at a crossroads, and the next few years will determine how we will emerge. While some despair and panic others are comforted by their faith and the steadfastness of a God who looms above all manner of evil that man can deliver.

Yes, we’ve been here before and with far less resources, allies, and education and still survived. And we will continue to press on toward the high calling. Freedom and equality are not a revolving door, and nor should they be. These recent days have simply shown us that we still have much work to do, and getting comfortable too soon is a grave mistake. Evil does not give up, and neither should we.  

While many have bowed the knee to the golden calf and turned from the living God, there is still a growing population who have the courage to stand as Joshua and take the land overrun by oppressive seeking giants. But God has promised to make our enemies our footstool, and we serve a God who cannot lie.

So, we can boldly and confidently proclaim: All aboard for the promised land!