I have taken the liberty to highlight some key phrases from George Washington's first ever Presidential address given on April 30, 1789.
"Such being the impressions under which I have, in obedience to the
public summons,
repaired to the present station; 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 the People 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. And in the important revolution just
accomplished in the system of their United Government, the tranquil
deliberations and voluntary consent of so many distinct communities,
from which the event has resulted, cannot be compared with the means by
which most Governments have been established, without some return of
pious gratitude along with an humble anticipation of the future
blessings which the past seem to presage. These reflections, arising out
of the present crisis, have forced themselves too strongly on my mind
to be suppressed. You will join with me I trust in thinking, that there
are none under the influence of which, the proceedings of a new and free
Government can more auspiciously commence."
He also said in the same address: "Since we ought to be no less persuaded that the propitious smiles of
Heaven, can never be expected on a nation that disregards the eternal
rules of order and right, which Heaven itself has ordained:"
How can we expect the "smiles of Heaven" on a country that "disregards the eternal rules of order and right, which Heaven itself has ordained."?
We can't!
We are not "evolving" in our views as a country - we are devolving. We are seeing the "foundations" of our great country cracking and crumbling because we are willfully turning our back on "the invisible hand, which conducts the Affairs of men"
The Psalmist was right when he wrote: "if
the foundations are destroyed, what can the righteous do?" (Psalm 11:3 ESV).
We can humble ourselves and pray (2 Chronicles 7:14).
Pastor Mike
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