God Bless America, Please!
Bruce Cannon
Mitchell County
Another birthday is quickly approaching for our nation. America was founded by men and women looking for a place where they could worship God in spirit and in truth. History bears this out through so many speeches and documents from its beginning. For example, consider this:
In God We Trust was first inscribed on U.S. coins in 1864 under President Lincoln, and in 1956 Congress made it the national motto of the United States.
George Washington added “so help me God” to his inaugural oath; every president since has likewise asked for God’s assistance at his inauguration.
Since its first meeting in 1774, Congress has opened its sessions with prayer, usually given by its official chaplain in both houses.
On October 3, 1789, one week after Congress approved the Bill of Rights, Pres. George Washington recognized “the duty of all Nations to acknowledge the providence of Almighty God, to obey His will, to be grateful for His benefits, and humbly to implore His protection and favor,” and therefore declared a national “day of public thanksgiving and prayer to be observed by acknowledging with grateful hearts the many signal favors, including the Constitution, of Almighty God especially by affording them an opportunity peaceably to establish a form of government for their safety and happiness.”
The famous Liberty Bell of Philadelphia is inscribed with the message of freedom found in Leviticus 25:10, “Proclaim liberty throughout all the land unto all the inhabitants thereof.”
And, there are so many more examples of our nation being founded on the Lord God, the Creator of Heaven and Earth.
My question is, “How are a few so able to demand removal of the symbols of our Christian heritage and succeed in doing so?” To borrow a phrase used by a few over the past years, “Is the tail wagging the dog?” Why can’t the “dog wag the tail?” Does the majority rule? Or have the voices of a loud few out-shouted the softened, or silenced, voices of the masses?
Examples of our Christian faith and heritage being under attack include the Cross being removed from some public buildings, the Ten Commandments being removed from some locations, and the name of “Jesus” being barred from public prayers in some instances. These are but a few examples of the seeming movement to ban the Lord from America. And, while all of this is happening, it seems as if so many have lost their will to fight for our Christian freedoms.
What must we be reminded of this July 4th? Except the Lord build the house, they labour in vain that build it: except the Lord keep the city, the watchman waketh but in vain. (Psalm 127:1) Blessed is the nation whose God is the LORD.(Psalm 33:12)
What must we do to help our current pitiable situation? 1)Pray! Pray that our governmental leaders and our Christian leaders will have the wisdom and gumption to stand for those time-honored principles that made our nation great. 2)Be! Be the change that America needs. Live out your faith in God so that everyone knows beyond a doubt that you believe in, serve, and love the Lord. Pray publicly. Carry your Word around openly. 3)Vote! Vote for those who have those time- honored Christian values. 4)Love! Love the Lord God with all your heart. Serve Him and He will give you the wisdom and power to be the change America needs.
