When one considers the heritage of this country, the present day culture is almost amazing. Just meander through the historical monuments in Washington, D.C., pay attention to the engravings of our forefathers, and the obvious conclusion is that the founding fathers of this nation had a deep faith in God and deep trust in the Bible. For instance, above the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court hangs an indelible engraving of the Ten Commandments. This is only one of many illustrations of the desire from those deep thinking writers of our national documents to keep God's word center stage in this nation.
So how is it that we now live in a society which believes in tolerance for everyone and everything except God and the Bible. In the early days of America the Bible was THE text book for the teaching of reading to young students in public school. Today that same Bible is not really allowed on the school grounds let alone in the classroom. Just exactly how did this happen? Who was it that decided "love God with all your heart and your neighbor as yourself" would warp the personality of children? Who made the determination that pornography and homosexuality are rights guarenteed by U.S. constitution? And now, a judge tells moms and dads in California that they are not fit to educate their own children? Just exactly what is happening?
Add to this the fact that we are facing a Presidential election in November without a candidate which represents the rank and file people in this country. This election is somewhat frightening. Without a miracle we may wind up with a President who either will not or cannot defend our nation and/or has little regard for human life. It seems like we are going the same way of every "Empire" before us. History tells us that these were not defeated by an external power but rather they decayed from within.
This year, like none other, the words of Alexis De Tocqueville a famous French statesman who traveled to America in the 1830’s to discover the REASONS for the success of this new nation, conceived in liberty, ring in my ears. Here are the words which stick in my mind;
"I sought for the key to the greatness and genius of America in her harbors...; in her fertile fields and boundless forests; in her rich mines and vast world commerce; in her public school system and institutions of learning. I sought it in her democratic Congress and in her matchless Constitution. Not until I went into the churches of America and heard her pulpits flame with righteousness did I understand the secret of her genius and power. America is great because America is good, and if America ever ceases to be good, America will cease to be great. The safeguard of morality is religion, and morality is the best security of law as well as the surest pledge of freedom. The Americans combine the notions of Christianity and of liberty so intimately in their minds, that it is impossible to make them conceive the one without the other. Christianity is the companion of liberty in all its conflicts-the cradle of its infancy, and the divine source of its claims."
My hope is that we can learn from these famous words of this French visitor of days gone by. And my prayer is that we will then heed these words and change the direction of this great nation.
"There is a way which seems right to man, but the end is destruction."
Originally from Mississippi, Bro. Jerry is the Senior Pastor for the New Hope Baptist Church in Foxworth, Mississippi, and the former AMD (Association Mission Director) for the George-Greene Baptist Association in the Lucedale/Leakesville area of South Mississippi. Jerry enjoys writing, golfing, tennis, softball, reading, and preaching. A professional musician for many years who enjoys a wide variety of music.
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