Guiding a Nation by Submitting to God

We the people often are misguided about the American founding fathers beliefs in God and Jesus Christ as the supreme authority and savior of mankind.  Many Americans are taught that the signers of the Declaration of Independence were Deist or only open to religion, as long as it kept the peace.  We have been taught that Thomas Jefferson was not a Christian, but wrote the words “endowed by our creator” because the majority of the people were Christian in American.  Those who make these claims also make the claim that God is not real.  I believe the statements concerning those who took a stand to establish a nation under God and not under a king to be self evident that they believed in God authority over man’s control, as the only way to establish a new government. 

The opening words of the Declaration of Independence provide proof to a Christian foundation.  It reads: “When in the course of human events it becomes necessary for one people to dissolve the political bands which have connected them with another…”  Jefferson’s words tell the story that a king’s improper authority over a people that deny those people equality with its fellow man is contrary to God’s natural law.  These very words point to the second greatest commandment in scripture, which is to love your neighbor as yourself.  His words of choice are not just for the people of America but words that he sought to live out.  He once said “love your neighbor as your self and your country more than yourself.”  I believe his writings and willingness to commit tyranny against the King of England was his way to love his neighbor and country more than himself.  Thomas Jefferson was the third president of our country and the author of the words that separated us from England.  He was inspired by God though his faith to write our Declaration of Independence.  He was a Christian and those who make the claims that he was not are misleading one of our founding father's intent for his country.   

Our first president George Washington was a trained military leader in the royal navy and reared in the Anglican faith.  His understanding of leadership came from an upbringing based faith and values along with service to God and Country.  His great-great-grandfather was Lawrence Washington and Anglican Pastor. His commitment to God and liberty for all Americans as the first general of our continental army and president is often brought into question.  Some secular scholars suggest that he was a deist, while others say that he only went to church for political show.  Making such claims provides a platform to discredit his Christian upbringing and to lay a foundation of doubt in our christian heritage.  This causes me to question the so called scholars' understanding of our first president’s statements referencing God.  Further if he was a deist why would he order his men to christian church services?  If he did not believe in God’s ability to enter act with the world or mankind any longer; why would he call upon local clergy to become chaplains and to provide worship services that were solely Christian for the continental army?  These questions are not asked nor answered by secular scholars, which goes to show they make these claims about Washington to change history.  Therefore, I question their knowledge and understanding of how our country was formed. 

George Washington’s 1789 Thanksgiving Proclamation states:  “Whereas it is 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 whereas both Houses of Congress have by their joint Committee requested me to recommend to the People of the United States a day of public thanksgiving and prayer to be observed by acknowledging with grateful hearts the many signal favors of Almighty God especially by affording them an opportunity peaceably to establish a form of government for their safety and happiness.”  His word of acknowledgement of God’s providence and protection and call to obey his will was the reason that freedom and blessing was bestowed upon this nation. 
Today, we lack God’s blessing, while seeing freedoms being crushed.  His call to obey God’s will in the 1789 Thanksgiving Proclamation and others statements need to be taught.  If we are to ever restore this nation again we need to pray like Nehemiah.

Nehemiah 1:1-11 teaches us to confess our sins and the sins of our forefathers.   As you read his prayer I encourage you to take note of his desire to be successful.  We cannot be successful as a individuals or a nation if we are not in right relationship with God. 

George Washington called for obedience to the will of God.  Thomas Jefferson called for us to follow God not a King.  The signers of the Declaration of Independence knew they were committing tyranny against the King.  In the last few weeks our nation has imprisoned the first Christian, Kim Davis for operating her elected office out her faith and convictions.  However, they did not jail a lesbian judge Tonya Parker who refused to marry heterosexual couples when the law stated she had to and she refused.  The difference is that Kim Davis did not break any law because there are not any laws on the books that says she must marry same-sex couples.  The judiciary branch does not write laws they interpret laws.  The call of George Washington’s thanksgiving proclamation to be obedient to God’s will in this nation is not silent.  Kim Davis’ willingness to go to jail is proof.  Therefore, I am calling on all Christians to begin fasting and praying everyday for a return to obedience to God’s will in this nation for those who serve in positions of congress.  Let us like Nehemiah begin the work to rebuild and restore our nation's wall of protection by calling upon the great protector God the Father, Jesus Christ the Son, and the Holy Spirit the comforter. 

AMEN...