On the US presidential
campaign trail one of the candidates made a profound statement this week,
saying, "life is not measured by years or possessions but is measured by love
and by the moments of grace'. It was a very stirring and provoking statement
for me.
In the midst of the refugee
crisis in the Middle East and Europe the Lord of creation and redemption is
doing something earth shaking. The visit by the pope to Cuba and to the America
the beautiful is creating a spiritual tsunami. Above all and best of all Jesus,
the Mighty one, is moving in the world from west to east and from south to
north.
This Wednesday morning is
the National See You at the Pole event on high School campuses across
America, where students will gather to pray for their school and the nation. I
am planning to come alongside the students of our town as they gather at 7:15 AM
on Wednesday. Let us lift up our schools, colleges, and
universities. Students and faculty need to know that "the Fear of the Lord is
the beginning of wisdom". As our Nation gearing up general election next year,
let us seek the Lord and His face. Toward the middle of our currency, slightly
above the center, are the words "In God We Trust." This is our national motto.
Above the pyramid in the left circle are the Latin words Annuit Coeptis, which
means "God has favored our undertaking." At the base of the pyramid is the Roman
numeral for the year 1776. The Latin below the pyramid, Novus Ordo Seclorum,
declares "A new order has begun."
The words "In God We Trust"
are traced to the efforts of Pastor W. R. Watkinson of Ridleyville,
Pennsylvania. His sent a letter of concern addressed to the Honorable Salmon P.
Chase, Nov. 13, 1861. Seven days later, Mr. Chase wrote to James Pollock,
director of the US. Mint as follows: "No nation can be strong except in the
strength of God, or safe except in His defense. The trust of our people in God
should be declared on our national coins. Will you cause a device to be
prepared without delay with a motto expressing in the finest and tersest words
possible, this national recognition." Since 1863, these words have been printed
on the money in our pockets, before it was adopted as our national
motto.
It is wonderful that we can celebrate
that there is a message in our pockets. It is a message of dependence on and
gratitude for almighty God's providence in establishing this nation. It is the
message for which too many veterans have given up too much to let this
message fade.
Alexis de Tocqueville,
19th Century French Statesman, is said to have observed: "I sought for the
greatness and genius of America in her commodious harbors and her ample rivers,
and it was not there. I sought for the greatness and genius of America in her
fertile fields and boundless forests, and it was not there. I sought for the
greatness and genius of America in her rich mines and her vast world commerce,
and it was not there. I sought for the greatness and genius of America in her
public school system and her institutions of learning, and it was not there. I
sought for the greatness and genius of America in her democratic congress and
her matchless constitution, and it was not there. 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."
He is
exalted.
In
Him,
Brown
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