The Invisible Hand Which Conducts the Affairs of Men

 

As we celebrate our nation’s 250^th birthday, I’d like to consider some of the men who’ve led us thus far, and the words they spoke in acknowledgement of the God who orchestrated each one’s place in history. 

Here are a few excerpts from notable inaugural speeches:

 From speech number one, given on April 30, 1789, by our first president, George Washington:

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 those of the United States. 

The above passage is included in the second paragraph of Washington’s very long, literary speech. Upon his re-election, the inaugural offering was in its entirety thirty-one words shorter than this one excerpt. Nothing else to say? New speech writer? Less reliance on the Almighty Being? I’ll leave such judgement to the historians.

The next president moved the acknowledgement of God to the end of his speech, and there it remained in several future speeches. Here are the words John Adams spoke on Inauguration Day, March 4, 1797:

And may that Being who is supreme over all, the Patron of Order, the Fountain of Justice, and the Protector in all ages of the world of virtuous liberty, continue His blessing upon this nation and its Government and give it all possible success and duration consistent with the ends of His providence.

From Thomas Jefferson, March 4, 1801:

Relying, then, on the patronage of your good will, I advance with obedience to the work, ready to retire from it whenever you become sensible how much better choice it is in your power to make. And may that Infinite Power which rules the destinies of the universe lead our councils to what is best, and give them a favorable issue for your peace and prosperity.

From James Madison, March 4, 1809 

In these my confidence will under every difficulty be best placed, next to that which we have all been encouraged to feel in the guardianship and guidance of that Almighty Being whose power regulates the destiny of nations, whose blessings have been so conspicuously dispensed to this rising Republic, and to whom we are bound to address our devout gratitude for the past, as well as our fervent supplications and best hopes for the future.

Here’s an excerpt from the middle of Abraham Lincoln’s first inaugural speech, March 4, 1861:

If the Almighty Ruler of Nations, with His eternal truth and justice, be on your side of the North, or on yours of the South, that truth and that justice will surely prevail by the judgment of this great tribunal of the American people.

And from the middle of Lincoln’s second inaugural speech, March 4, 1865:

Each looked for an easier triumph, and a result less fundamental and astounding. Both read the same Bible and pray to the same God, and each invokes His aid against the other. It may seem strange that any men should dare to ask a just God's assistance in wringing their bread from the sweat of other men's faces, but let us judge not, that we be not judged. The prayers of both could not be answered. That of neither has been answered fully. The Almighty has His own purposes… […]

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 bondsman'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."

No intent of any political movement could be as difficult as the one Lincoln faced as president. No citizen denied due rights has suffered under the law, or required freedom by the law, as were the people of that time. No internal battle in our nation has been comparable. Of course, that could change. And perhaps it is changing now. The change may appear to happen quickly, but a change in the heart of a nation happens gradually, almost imperceivably.

 What about the more recent inaugural addresses? How did these leaders of the modern world acknowledge God? The following quotes do not include every vague quote of a Bible verse or saint, or every reference to faith or religion. The new manner of speeches will never match the poetry and persuasion of the old. I’ve only extracted the passages that cite God. The words may or may not suppose the God our founding fathers called upon or recognize Him as paramount to our nation’s existence.

From Barak Obama, January 20, 2009:

…the God-given promise that all are equal, all are free, and all deserve a chance to pursue their full measure of happiness. […]

 This is the source of our confidence -- the knowledge that God calls on us to shape an uncertain destiny.  […]

…with eyes fixed on the horizon and God's grace upon us, we carried forth that great gift of freedom and delivered it safely to future generations. Thank you.  God bless you.  And God bless the United States of America.

From Barak Obama, January 21, 2013:

For history tells us that while these truths may be self-evident, they’ve never been self-executing; that while freedom is a gift from God, it must be secured by His people here on Earth.  […]

We are true to our creed when a little girl born into the bleakest poverty knows that she has the same chance to succeed as anybody else, because she is an American; she is free, and she is equal, not just in the eyes of God but also in our own.  […]

That is how we will preserve our planet, commanded to our care by God. […]

My fellow Americans, the oath I have sworn before you today, like the one recited by others who serve in this Capitol, was an oath to God and country, not party or faction.  […]

God bless you, and may He forever bless these United States of America. 

From Donald J. Trump, January 20 2017:

The Bible tells us, “how good and pleasant it is when God’s people live together in unity.”  […]

There should be no fear – we are protected, and we will always be protected. We will be protected by the great men and women of our military and law enforcement and, most importantly, we are protected by God. 

From Joseph Biden, January 20, 2021:

My fellow Americans, I close the day where I began, with a sacred oath before God and all of you. […]

May God bless America and may God protect our troops.

From Donald J. Trump, January 20, 2025:  

We will not forget our country, we will not forget our Constitution, and we will not forget our God.  […]

We are one people, one family, and one glorious nation under God.  

Whether God is mentioned or not, revered or forgotten, beseeched or ignored within a new president’s inaugural speech, there is no limiting God’s presence. Or His intervention. Or His blessing. Presidents are only men, perhaps one day a woman, chosen by God for a time and purpose. God is not stilled by a man’s words, nor by a nation’s dismissal. No president is appointed outside of God’s will. Not one is a mistake.

Of course, not every Inauguration Day address can be included, but here’s one more:

From the beginning of Dwight Eisenhower’s address, January 20, 1953:

My friends, before I begin the expression of those thoughts that I deem appropriate to this moment, would you permit me the privilege of uttering a little private prayer of my own. And I ask that you bow your heads:

Almighty God, as we stand here at this moment my future associates in the Executive branch of Government join me in beseeching that Thou will make full and complete our dedication to the service of the people in this throng, and their fellow citizens everywhere.

Give us, we pray, the power to discern clearly right from wrong, and allow all our words and actions to be governed thereby, and by the laws of this land. Especially we pray that our concern shall be for all the people regardless of station, race or calling.

May cooperation be permitted and be the mutual aim of those who, under the concepts of our Constitution, hold to differing political faiths; so that all may work for the good of our beloved country and Thy glory. Amen.

A Dangerous Election

 

As a follower of Christ, I don’t proclaim faith in policies, politicians, or the promises offered by such. These are not worthy of my faith. Only One is worthy. Yet, with discernment and the understanding that I’m not voting for a savior, I will vote. If there is danger in my decision, so be it. Danger is inevitable, and perhaps more so if my decision is to offer no vote at all. I’ve heard that 40% of evangelical Christians will not vote in the presidential election. That is dangerous.

Here are some dangerous provocations about, let’s say, the super-rich champion of patriotism:

…the twice-impeached former president, now also a convicted felon and adjudicated rapist, demonstrated that, since leaving office, he has become only more vindictive and deranged.     

           from Commonwealth Newsletter

Donald Trump is spreading a dangerous mental illness to his supporters.                                

           from Raw Story Newsletter

…are ready to declare that President Trump, whose actions are often described with neutral terms like “unprecedented,” is in fact dangerously ill.    

            from a bunch of Yale psychiatrists

I could go on—there is no end to it.

But danger crosses party lines. Here are a few statements about, let’s say, the middle-class champion of the future:

Far from improving outcomes by “reimagining” public safety, Harris’ approach to law enforcement would endanger our communities, continue to imperil the law enforcement profession, and place the interests of law-abiding Americans squarely behind those of the criminally convicted.    

            from America First Policy Institute

…Harris was a dangerous authoritarian with an unlimited appetite for power who displayed contempt for the Constituton and no regard for the rights, dignity, faith, or reputations of anyone in her way.  

             from National Review

[Senator] Cotton added: “Kamala Harris is a dangerous liberal. She makes Joe Biden look competent and moderate by contrast.”    

              from The Guardian

Again, there is no end to the reproach. But opinions are just that, facts are facts, and the slant is obvious. As for the VP’s, let’s say, the backwoods boy and the old mega liberal: Not that Vance and Walz run in the danger-free lane, but considering their recent debate, maybe the presidential candidates should just stop talking and let their VPs address the public. Seriously, enough with the superfluous quips and the word salad.

Does this election matter? The whole world is in a heap, and the President of the United States can’t fix it. That’s no excuse to skip the vote. Maybe somebody can uphold the Constitution, for the present. Maybe life (all of it), liberty (without fear of oppression), and the pursuit of happiness (not to be denied or taken away) will stir another generation. Maybe there is someone who could preserve America’s standing in the world a little longer—one who might suppress the rousing of WWIII. Maybe economic disaster can be avoided. Maybe we can mend the slippery grasp on our property, our profit, our rights, and our freedom. Maybe. But I’m not putting my faith in it.

Nevertheless, my faith tells me to pray for our leaders, and, if possible, to live at peace with all people. That may, in dangerous times, become very difficult, but I choose to trust and obey. No matter the outcome.

Three Ways to Maneuver a Cultural Shift

 

Those of us who follow Christ are not traversing unaware into the post-Christian world. We’re only human, so at times we tend to recoil when suffering the in-your-face demands of those at the forefront of our changing society. My own views filter through the lens of the Western Church. As an American Christian, I grew up during the era when all the world believed this was the greatest country on earth. Or at least, we assumed they believed it. Now, people around the world, as well as those from among our own citizenship, no longer believe in America, or God. At times we feel they’ve shoved their rights, their goals, and their philosophies ahead of ours. So, how do we navigate the turmoil? Here are three ways to maneuver through the muck, rather than sink into it.

1     Remember who you are.

If you belonged to the world, it would love you as its own. As it is, you do not belong to the world, but I have chosen you out of the world. That is why the world hates you. John 15:19

Yes, we are a part of the family of humanity. We’re earth dwellers, but this is not our home and we can’t expect everyone to like us, support our cause, or follow our rules. Before we were redeemed, we were just as lost as the angry, depraved people who’ve managed to frustrate us with their unrelenting demands. It doesn’t matter if we weren’t as bad, we were absolutely as lost. They can’t help but hate us, but we don’t have to return hatred to them. Let go of the frustration and show a little kindness. We might not stop a cultural shift, but we can still shine a light in the darkness.

2      Remember where your loyalty lies.

Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For all that is in the world—the desires of the flesh and the desires of the eyes and pride in possessions—is not from the Father but is from the world. And the world is passing away along with its desires, but whoever does the will of God abides forever. 
1 John 2:15-17

Okay, I’m proud to be an American. But it’s not my doing, so I don’t boast in it. God gave me life at a certain point in history, in a specific place. I’m not ungrateful. I simply don’t own it. The will of the people has at times throughout our history become ungodly, and yet God has blessed us. He chose to build this nation to increase His Kingdom, and from our shores the gospel has gone out across the world. For that reason, my pride rests more in Christ, and less in patriotism. That’s not to say I won’t stand up for what is right. For the time being, we still live in the Republic of the United States of America. I’ll still vote, pray for our leaders, and hope for our survival as a nation. But the things of this world will pass away.

3     Remember your destination.

After this I looked, and behold, a great multitude that no one could number, from every nation, from all tribes and peoples and languages, standing before the throne and before the Lamb, clothed in white robes, with palm branches in their hands, and crying out with a loud voice, “Salvation belongs to our God who sits on the throne, and to the Lamb!” 
Revelation 7: 9,10

The ultimate culture shifter is God. No matter how hard we fight for our rights, we will live or die by His sovereignty. He has determined right from wrong, and no amount of raging over the face of the earth will alter His opinion. The core of humanity is in a battle to create a new world for itself. But this is His world, past, present, and future. The world to come will be filled with a great number from all kinds of people whom He chose to redeem. They will come from every nation, tribe, and tongue. Every political affiliation? Every boundary-pushing movement? Will God redeem souls from among those who hate us? Who distort morality? From the loud, contemptuous public voices that cry out against Him? The shifters are in God’s hands, and He will do with them as He will. Does that mean He might use those of us who are redeemed to draw His adversaries to Himself? Of course, it does. Pray for your enemies. They could become your brothers and sisters.

Maneuvering the cultural shifts of this world might seem overwhelming, but if we’re standing on the right foundation, we will not be shaken. We are His. We’re loyal to His Kingdom. And we’ll soon be going home. Perhaps we need a shift in focus. The outlook of the Western Christian sometimes becomes “me” centered rather than Christ centered. But it isn’t our story. It’s His story. And this isn’t our battle. The battle is the Lord’s, our redeemer and refuge.

If God is for us, who can be against us? Romans 8:31

National Narcissism

This post concludes my series, “Another Civil War in America?” I’ve gotten a few nasty remarks on the previous posts. Thank God, we are still a nation where opinions can be shared openly. This series leaves many issues unaddressed. I offer no solutions for a nation that is, perhaps, on the brink of anarchy. I have nothing to offer but hope in Christ, which is everything. To read previous posts, click on the titles:

Introduction: Another Civil War in America?

Part I

Racism: The Church, theMedia, and the New Definition of Racist 

Part II

Abortion: A Once Private Decision That Became aCelebrated National Demand

Part III

Potusphobia: Fear, Hate, and the President 

Part IV

Theophobia: America Has Turned on Religion  

Part V:

The phrase seems counterintuitive--national narcissism. A nation of individuals bonded together by a common goal, united by a government of their own design, should not abandon community for self-identity. But that’s what has happened. Not yesterday, or last year, or last election. The shift began decades ago. In many ways, the beginning of the turn pointed Americans in the right direction. We were a divisive people, separated by ideals, social standing, race, and privilege. We were, at some point, headed toward rectification. But the passage was forged in egocentricity, and so it was destined to fail.

Woven into the nation there was the precedent call of Christ for His people to love one another, and to love their neighbors. Not with political strings attached. Not with an agenda lurking behind the love. Some Christians did as they were taught. Others abandoned love for the sake of self-righteousness. As well, the nation at large, individually and in organization, chose acceptance or disapproval. Tolerance or bigotry. The churched and the unchurched were not so different in this respect. 

As Americans, we hold to our political sway, or religion, or convictions, and it is our right to do so. But some, with little care for community, are ready to strip away the rights of all with whom they disagree. Behind this contagion of narcissistic behavior is the pull to rebuild America into something that it is not, that it has never been. As a result, we are being ripped apart. We have been carried into discord, and national upheaval is looming.

In this season of Thanksgiving, I consider the simplicity of that first day of celebration. It followed great turmoil, and suffering, and death. It brought together people of different cultures—natives and immigrants. Those brave settlers, and the generous inhabitants of the land, didn’t celebrate the day with ten different kinds of pie. They didn’t argue over how to prepare the turkey. They simply came together in peace.

Of course, things changed. Peace didn’t last. It never does. Except for the everlasting peace of knowing the Prince of Peace. As America changes, again, I choose to live at peace, taking into consideration the good of the nation as a whole. Remembering that I am foremost a citizen of another nation, a holy nation. I will in no self-righteous way demand my rights, but I will stand against oppression. And I will remain thankful for this great nation where God has chosen to leave me for a little while.

Be subject for the Lord's sake to every human institution, whether it be to the emperor as supreme, or to governors as sent by him to punish those who do evil and to praise those who do good. For this is the will of God, that by doing good you should put to silence the ignorance of foolish people.  Live as people who are free, not using your freedom as a cover-up for evil, but living as servants of God. Honor everyone. Love the brotherhood. Fear God. Honor the emperor. I Peter 2:13-17

Another Civil War in America?

I’ve never given serious consideration to the possibility until now. There could never be a war like it. Never another crisis as overwhelming as the one that led to the Civil War. Never again could there be such a blight on our good land. A war raged because right and wrong became less important than building a nation. Commerce was never meant to be more valuable than liberty. Law was never meant to be an instrument of oppression. Correcting the balance put us at war, even war with ourselves. Now, we tear down statues that remind us of that desperate time. We want to forget. But forgetting doesn’t change history. It only makes us vulnerable to repeat it. Could we be so blind as to let civil unrest break us again?

Recent assessment indicates we may be headed for such discord, even bloodshed, within our own borders. Over the next few months, I’d like to address five problematic war-starters brewing in the minds of our citizens, stirring our communities, and being presented by the media as unavoidable conduits of change in our country. Some may see that change as good, as necessary for our survival as a nation. Others view the same change as the very thing that will destroy America. As Christians, we must not adopt the mindset that has overtaken our society. The boundaries of right and wrong are not as subjective as we’d sometimes prefer. The standard of truth doesn’t waver based on opinion. Truth is true because it’s always been true. It’s a lie to believe we can conjure up our own truth, and the end of the lie is destruction.

I pray widespread malevolence doesn’t lead to war, to a social divide posing no option but to kill the enemy. Truth is, I’m taught to love my enemies. I’m not looking for a fight. But if it happens, the War may come about because of one, some, or all of these  unsettling issues:
                                       
                   1. Racism

                   2. Abortion

                   3. Potusphobia 

                   4. Theophobia

                   5. National Narcissism 

I’ll address these one at a time on my blog, every other week:

Next time: Racism: The Church, the Media, and the New Definition of Racist.