During June of 1776, Thomas Jefferson (the third President of the US), assisted by John Adams (America’s second President) and Benjamin Franklin wrote our nation’s Declaration of Independence.
At the beginning and end of the Declaration, Jefferson appeals to “Nature’s God,” to “[the] Creator,” to “The Supreme Judge of the world,” and to “the protection of divine Providence.”
Three signers of the Declaration, including Jefferson, were Unitarians. One, Benjamin Franklin, was a Deist. The god in which these men believed was not the God revealed in Holy Scripture.
One signer of the Declaration was a Quaker, another a Roman Catholic, and one a Baptist. The rest claimed to be Congregationalists (Reformed in doctrine, Baptistic in government), Episcopalians, and Presbyterians. The Methodist church, as a denomination, did not yet exist. Most of these men would have understood that “God,” “the Creator,” “the Supreme Judge,” and “the Ruler of Divine Providence,” was the God revealed in Holy Scriptures. America was not founded to be a Christian nation. It was assumed that America would be a Christian nation.
Obviously, she hasn’t always lived up to the expectations of some of these men. Because of political pressure, she has sometimes lacked the courage to do the right thing. For example, Congress edited out of Jefferson’s original manuscript a denunciation of the African slave trade. It’s sad to think that such a strong statement was removed from the Declaration. And it’s strange to realize that Jefferson — a man who owned slaves throughout his lifetime — would author such strong words.
Often, as individuals, we lack the courage to do what is right, and when we fail to do what is right, our nation fails to do what is right.
We sing, God Bless America. Amen. Guess what? You’re the blessing. And, in God’s strange providence, the future of this great land lies in your hands. America has never been great from top down. Her greatness has always come from her people. People like you and me. “Righteousness exalts a nation, but sin is a disgrace to any people” (Prov. 14.34). There’s only one way for a nation to be righteous and that’s for her people to live righteously.
This should be our prayer: That we will give ourselves no rest, and give him no rest till he establishes Jerusalem — the community of His covenant people — and makes her the praise of the earth (Isa 62.6-7).
Two hundred thirty-three years ago we were blessed by courageous individuals who mutually pledged to each other their lives, fortunes and sacred honor.
May God use us, and use us up, for His glory and therefore the temporal and eternal welfare of others.
Pastor Caines