July 3, 2026 | Moments Almanac | Wall
Share Your Thoughts On July 3, history remembers one of the Civil War's most devastating assaults—and a little-known church council that forever shaped how Christians understand grace. At Gettysburg, thousands of soldiers marched across an open field toward a stone wall they could not take. More than thirteen centuries earlier, bishops gathered in Orange, France, to answer a different question: Can we make our own way to God, or does God make the first move toward us? In this episode of Momen...
On July 3, history remembers one of the Civil War's most devastating assaults—and a little-known church council that forever shaped how Christians understand grace.
At Gettysburg, thousands of soldiers marched across an open field toward a stone wall they could not take. More than thirteen centuries earlier, bishops gathered in Orange, France, to answer a different question: Can we make our own way to God, or does God make the first move toward us?
In this episode of Moments Almanac, those two stories converge into a powerful reminder that salvation has never been about climbing high enough, trying hard enough, or earning God's acceptance. The gospel tells a better story: before we ever crossed the field, Christ crossed it for us.
Join us as we explore the tragedy of Pickett's Charge, the enduring legacy of the Synod of Orange, the timeless words of Ephesians 2, and the beloved hymn Rock of Ages. It's a moving reflection on grace that meets us where we fall—and the hope that we never walk the field alone.
Take heart.
Notice the scattered moments.
And remember: grace always moves first.
Welcome to Moments Almanac. Today is July 3rd, 2026. A tree line, an open field, a stone wall, and 12,000 men ordered to cross ground that could not be taken. On the afternoon of July 3rd, 1863, Confederate soldiers stepped out at Gettysburg and began a walk across three-quarters of a mile of open Pennsylvania farmland toward Cemetery Ridge. General Robert E. Lee believed the Union center could be broken. James Longstreet warned him otherwise. No 15,000 men who ever lived, he said, could take that position. But the order came anyway. Advance. So they walked. Into cannon fire, into rifle fire, into smoke and shouting and ruin. Only a handful reached the wall. Nearly half the attacking force fell in under an hour. When it was over, George Pickett was asked to rally what remained of his division. General, I have no division, he said. It was a failed climb. But July 3rd carries another story about a failed climb. One more than thirteen centuries earlier, in the year 529, bishops gathered in the town of Orange in what is now southern France. They were there to answer one question. When a person turns toward God, who moved first? Does the sinner take the first move? And then grace meets him partway? Or does grace move first? Their answer was clear. Grace moves first. Even the desire to seek God is in itself a gift from God. We do not climb our way into salvation. We are rescued. That may sound humbling. It is. Because we know what it is to charge the walls we cannot take. We try harder, we promise more, we measure our worth by progress, discipline, regret, emotions, sincerity, tears. But the gospel tells a better story. The wall did not come down because we finally reached it. The wall came down from the other side. Grace did not stand on the ridge waiting to see whether we could make it across. Grace crossed the field first. Christ came to us. Christ met us where we fell. It's the reason we can walk without terror. Because the outcome was never resting on how far our legs could carry us under fire. Ephesians 2 says, For it is by grace you have been saved through faith. This is not from yourself, it is a gift of God, not by works, so that no one can boast. And Augustus Topley gave us this same truth in the hymn rock of ages. Not the labors of my hands can fulfill thy law's demands. Could my zeal no respite know? Could my tears forever flow? All for sin could not atone. Thou must save, and thou alone. So today, lay down the charge. Stop measuring the distance you have managed to travel. Measure instead the distance Christ traveled to reach you. Grace moved first. Grace still moves first. And because of that, you never walk the field alone. We can pray, Lord, we have spent our strength trying to cross ground you have already crossed. We can ask God to forgive us of the exhausting arithmetic of trying to earn what was given. We can thank him for the grace that moved first. We can ask him to steady the ones listening who feel like they have no division left to rally. And we pray meet them there. I hope you'll join me tomorrow for a special moments almanac. Ten forgotten facts about Independence Day. Until then, take care. Notice the scattered moments and share the grace.
