So Help us God

George Washington made the following statements:

“What students would learn in American schools above all is the religion of Jesus Christ.” [speech to the Delaware Indian Chiefs May 12, 1779]

"To the distinguished character of patriot, it should be our highest glory to add the more distinguished character of Christian" [May 2, 1778, at Valley Forge]

During his inauguration, Washington took the oath as prescribed by the Constitution but added several religious components to that official ceremony. Before taking his oath of office, he summoned a Bible on which to take the oath, added the words “So help me God!” to the end of the oath, then leaned over and kissed the Bible.

http://www.seekfind.net/GeorgeWashington.html
http://lcweb2.loc.gov/ammem/pihtml/pinotable.html

I was checking out a movie recently on "screenit.com." You can go there to find out the details of a movie before you see it. And a PG movie used the curse word G-d seven times. I couldn't believe it. A word that use to be found only in R movies has now become one of the only curse words allowed to be used in PG. I thought, "Did I sleep through something?" I found this to be a statement of a far greater truth. A truth that if those who are offended remain silent will eventually be the only truth that remains. That "while we're sleeping" every thing that we hold of value will be subtle and craftily brought to nothing.

I was in Atlanta two weeks ago at a conference where one of the speakers said, "America isn't making decisions that could lead to judgement, America is already in the judgement of the decisions it has made." I sat there letting these words resonate over and over in my mind and realized that this is probably true.

I remember when I was in middle school and the voice came over the loud speaker that we were going to have a moment of silent prayer, every head around me bowed. Now, whenever I substitute in public school and take my Bible, because I couldn't get up early enough to read it before I left, I wonder if a child is going to see me, tell the principle or their parent and they will ask me to either not come back or not to bring my Bible with me if I do. I remember when I was little Three's Company was the raciest show on television. And now we have homosexual relationships shown on regular television with normalacy. I remember when children were seen as a heritage of the Lord and God had created plans for us before we were even in our mother's wombs and now the rights of sea turtles are more protected than the rights of the unborn. I remember when there was a standard of right and wrong, black and white, truth and lies. And now there is a no standard, truth is relative.

The saddest statement in that entire paragraph? "I remember when..." With each day that has gone by over the last couple decades truth has been taken over by relativism. But it doesn't mean that truth has changed. Truth will never change. We're told in the Gospel of John that "God's word is truth." And it is that truth that will set us free.

In this political season our nation stands more divided than it ever has before. But I still believe that our salvation isn't found in politicians. It is found in the cross. And being obedient to the statutes of the Word of God. Granted we have an obligation. We have an obligation and a privilege to vote in this next election. And I think God has allowed the gods of this world to be exploited for the weak imitations that they are. The god of Wall Street has been revealed as the cheap imitation that he is when the storms of life have come. I've taught on storms for years. And my bible tells me that it doesn't matter how we build, wise or foolish, storms will come. The difference is the aftermath. Those who have built on the rock will still be standing, those that have built on the things of their flesh will collapse.

I won't tell you who to vote for. I will tell you however, that nations in the Bible usually got the leaders they deserved. What I will ask you to do is search the Word of God. Seek Him while He may be found. Because I can't help but wonder if as the last twenty years have continued to silence and repress the body of Christ, that there may come a time when we will find ourselves in prison once again for the cause of Christ.

In the words of George Washington, "So help us God..." Yes, God help us.