We Are A Blessed Nation, Let’s Praise God
Let’s suppose that sometime this week you turned on the News and heard these announcements: “The Chief Justice of the Supreme Court has just issued this statement: ‘Divine Providence (that’s God) has given to our people the choice of their rulers, and it is the duty of our Christian nation to select and prefer Christians for their rulers.’" Secondly, “Inquiries by our reporters reveal that almost every state legislature has now passed a law requiring all elected officials to take this oath: ‘I do profess faith in God the Father, and in the Lord Jesus Christ His only Son… and I do acknowledge the holy scriptures of the Old and New Testaments to be given by divine inspiration.’" Thirdly, “Legislation was passed today in Congress to affirm that, ‘The Congress of the United States approves of and recommends the Holy Bible for use in the schools.’”
What do you think the response to these announcements would be, especially in the media? I think there would be more reaction to them than we could even imagine. But the amazing thing is this: Every one of these statements is historically accurate and factual. It was John Jay, the first Chief Justice and “Father” of the Supreme Court, one of the primary writers of our Constitution, who wrote, "It is the duty of our Christian nation to select and prefer Christians for their rulers." It was the state of Delaware (along with most of the others) which required officeholders to take an oath affirming their Christian faith before they could take office. And not only did Congress in 1782 approve the use of the Bible in our schools, they even paid for them with tax dollars. And, in 1844, when someone sued to remove them, the Supreme Court ruled: “Why should not the Bible, and especially the New Testament, be read and taught as a divine revelation in the schools? Where can the purest principles of morality be learned so clearly or so perfectly as from the New Testament?” Just think about this: If these people, who were so instrumental in establishing our nation, were here to say and do those things in our country today, they’d be considered right-wing radicals, and a threat to our nation. And I don’t think that’s an exaggeration.
Our school systems and colleges and universities have become so secularized - so distanced from religion - that huge chunks of information about the spiritual roots of our nation are neglected, & unless you hear it from Christians, you will not hear it at all.
Why are we a "blessed nation?" The hardy souls who sailed on the Mayflower in 1620 fled from tyranny and oppression. And in the Mayflower Compact which they signed beneath the swinging lantern in the cabin of their ship, they proclaimed that they had come to the new world for "the glorie of God and the advancement of the Christian faith." In the early colonies the first public building to be erected was a church house and the first public exercise was the worship of Almighty God. When sorrow came they gathered at the church to appeal to God for help. When bountiful harvests filled their barns they gathered at the church for thanksgiving to God. In 1643, as more and more people arrived on these shores, they joined together to form “The New England Confederation.” They wrote a constitution, the first constitution written in the New World, and it began with these words: “Whereas we all came into these parts with one and the same end and aim, namely to advance the kingdom of our Lord Jesus Christ, and to enjoy the liberties of the gospel in purity & peace…"
These are our spiritual forefathers who came to the shores of America so they could worship and practice their faith without fear of persecution. The second thing right with America is that the founders of our nation had a strong desire to be pleasing to God and to do His will. Beginning in 1734, a handful of preachers – Jonathan Edwards, George Whitefield, Gilbert Tennant, John Wesley, and others – began to preach in the churches and in the streets and in the fields. These soon turned into great revivals that spread throughout the 13 Colonies. So many people came to Christ that that era came to be known as “The Great Awakening.” Tens of thousands dedicated their lives to Jesus Christ and were baptized. So many people came to hear Whitefield as he traveled the colonies that he had to hold open-air meetings because there just wasn’t enough room in the churches. The generation that experienced the “Great Awakening” became the leaders of the American Revolution! This is a prayer recorded in the personal diary of George Washington: "Let my heart, gracious God, be so affected with Your glory and majesty that I may ... discharge those weighty duties which thou requirest of me ... Again, I have called on thee for pardon and forgiveness of sins ... for the sacrifice of Jesus Christ offered on the cross for me. Thou gavest thy Son to die for me; and hast given me assurance of my salvation."
Again, American law as written by our founding fathers guarantees our religious freedom to practice and proclaim our faith, regardless of what the Supreme Court may say today. As a final point, do you know what the tallest structure in Washington, D.C. is? It’s the Washington Monument. And by law, nothing taller than the Washington Monument can be built there. And do you know what is inscribed at the pinnacle of the Washington Monument? These words from scripture: "Let God be praised."
Serving His Kingdom Together,
Travis Mowell