In just a
few days from now, all of us will stop at some point and remember that July 4,
1776 was our declaration of independence. The actual document was penned and
signed at that point. The war for independence took several years longer.
On that day, a dream began to enter into the
labor pains that ultimately gave birth to one nation under God. We firmly and
resolutely stood upon the concept that we were a nation by the blessings of
Providence. In fact, on April 30, 1789,
in G. Washington’s first inaugural address, he said the following:
It would be peculiarly improper to omit in
this first official act my fervent supplications to that Almighty Being who
rules over the universe, who presides in the councils of nations, and whose
providential aids can supply every human defect, that His benediction may
consecrate to the liberties and happiness of the people of the United States a
Government instituted by themselves for these essential purposes, and may
enable every instrument employed in its administration to execute with success
the functions allotted to his charge. In tendering this homage to the Great
Author of every public and private good, I assure myself that it expresses your
sentiments not less than my own, nor those of my fellow-citizens at large less
than either. No people can be bound to acknowledge and adore the Invisible Hand
which conducts the affairs of men more than those of the United States. Every
step by which they have advanced to the character of an independent nation
seems to have been distinguished by some token of providential agency….
In other words, with these and other words, Washington
asserted that we must be indebted to God as a nation, as well as look to God
for his guidance of this nation. Time and again our forefathers, including the
non-Christians, affirmed that our foundations were based upon Christian
doctrine and values.
We have come a long ways since
then; not just in time, but in philosophy. We only see a slight shadow cast by
a very small and distant light of the values that once guided us.
We raise our eyebrows at unjust
rulings of this day. Rulings such as those that legitimize sin and desecrate
marriage, those that reward the wicked and punish the righteous, those that
oppress the underprivileged and empower the unrighteous. People ask, “What can
we do?” The proper question would be, “What must we do?” 2 Chr. 7:14 tells us
what each of us that claims to be a Christ-follower must do: if My people who are called by My name will humble themselves, and pray and seek My face, and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin and heal their land.
I dislike the deceitful injustice involved in the latest SCOTUS ruling, not to mention too many others that of late characterize our courts. But I will not stand around and wring my hands. I will put into practice what I intend to preach to my church on Sunday morning.
Here's hoping you join me.
