Police Devotional 9-14-20

Fear of God, Faith in God

“Blessed is the nation whose God is the LORD;” (Psalm 33:12)

God was Somebody real to our Founding Fathers. And it wasn’t just some abstract idea of “something out there.” It was the God of the Bible. Even a casual look at our founding documents makes this fact obvious. In the Declaration of Independence, Thomas Jefferson wrote of “…the separate and equal station to which the Laws of Nature and of Nature’s God entitle them…” He added that “…all men are created [note the word “created”] equal,…endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable rights…”

Patrick Henry used Scripture in his fiery “Give Me Liberty or Give Me Death” speech: “…having eyes, see not, and having ears, hear not…” “Suffer not yourselves to be betrayed with a kiss.” He also said, “There is a just God who presides over the destinies of nations; and who will raise up friends to fight our battles for us.” He also asked rhetorically, “Is life so dear, or peace so sweet, as to be purchased at the price of chains and slavery? Forbid it, Almighty God! I know not what course others may take; but as for me, give me liberty or give me death!”

Unfortunately, blacks still had chains and slavery. George Mason of Virginia warned of judgment by God if slavery were allowed to continue, saying, “Every master is born a petty tyrant. They bring the judgment of Heaven upon a country. As nations cannot be rewarded or punished in the next world, they must be in this. By an inevitable chain of causes and effects, Providence punishes national sins by national calamities.” “Was the Civil War God’s Judgment on America for Slavery?” by David Shaw

President Lincoln, in his Gettysburg address, expressed optimism “…that this nation, under God, shall have a new birth of freedom,” In his second inaugural address, he also referenced Scripture to propose that the Civil War was indeed God’s judgment on America for slavery.

“Fondly do we hope—fervently do we pray—that this mighty scourge of war may speedily pass away. Yet, if God wills that it continue until all the wealth piled by the bondman’s two hundred and fifty years of unrequited toil shall be sunk, and until every drop of blood drawn with the lash shall be paid by another drawn with the sword, as was said three thousand years ago, so still it must be said, “The judgments of the Lord are true and righteous altogether.” (Scripture is taken from Psalm 19:9)

The Civil War cost a total of 620,000 lives, approximately 2.5 percent of America’s population. If the Civil War were fought today, 2.5 percent would be 7 million people. Info is taken from kids.brittanica.com and “The Civil War by the Numbers,” The American Experience/PBS.

Alexis de Tocqueville is alleged to have said, “Not until I went into the churches of America and heard her pulpits flame with righteousness did I understand the greatness and genius of America. America is great because America is good. If America ever ceases to be good America will cease to be great.” He was only half right. America is great because God is good. If America forgets God, America will cease to be great: “The wicked shall be turned into hell, and all the nations that forget God.” (Psalm 9:17)

Job 21:7, 14 says, “Wherefore do the wicked live, become old, yea, are mighty in power?” “Therefore they say unto God, Depart from us; for we desire not the knowledge of thy ways.” Wicked people don’t want to hear about God. Many people and many politicians are like that. In fact, if the Declaration were written today, no doubt the references to God would provoke outcry from atheist groups.

Don’t be like them. Guide your political career by fear of God and faith in Him to guide you with His Word: “He that ruleth over men must be just, ruling in the fear of God.” (2 Samuel 23:3) “Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path.” (Psalm 119:105) Finally, if you want to see how God has provided for you to be in heaven with Him for eternity, please go to www.clevelandbaptist.org, click “Helpful Links,” then “How Do I Go to Heaven?”

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Welcome to Cleveland baptist Church Sunday Mornings at 9:00 am & 11:00 am Sunday Evenings at 6 pm & Wednesdays at 7:00 pm

Brian Miller 9/14/2020

Cleveland Baptist Church 4431 Tiedeman Road, Brooklyn, Ohio 44144 216/671-2822