Return to God

The day was June 28, 1787.  The framers of our Constitution were deadlocked and embroiled in bitter controversy. Benjamin Franklin rose and made the following plea to the delegates:

In the beginning of the Contest with Great Britain, when we were sensible of danger, we had daily prayer in this room for the Divine protection. Our prayers, Sir, were heard, and they were graciously answered. All of us who were engaged in the struggle must have observed frequent instances of a superintending providence in our favor.

To that kind providence we owe this happy opportunity of consulting in peace on the means of establishing our future national felicity. And have we now forgotten that powerful Friend? Or do we imagine we no longer need His assistance?

Basically, Benjamin Franklin said, it was God who enabled us to obtain freedom, so do we think we no longer need His assistance?  Franklin went on to say, “And if a sparrow cannot fall to the ground without His notice, is it probable that an empire can rise without His aid?”   So, he moved that prayers be prayed daily and ministers be invited in to lead in that.  Today, it seems like most politicians want the true Christian ministers to be silent. 

Over the next two Sundays I hope to remind us of the extent of our country’s Christian roots, how God’s hand was on our country’s beginning and how we have forgotten God.  The question:  If it took God’s hand to enable us to obtain liberty and become a nation, is it probable that we can survive without Him?  Is culture going to dictate what we believe and practice, or is God (including the Word of God) going to frame our thinking and actions?  I believe that the free-fall of evil we now experience has resulted from our continual pushing God away from us.  Our only answer—return to God!  I invite you to this challenging set of messages on Sunday’s June 28th and July 5th.

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