In the past few days we have witnessed a distinctive parting between leadership and power. Including the loss of appreciation for our fellow man and the gratitude for those who have sacrificed to give us the freedoms we enjoy. Be it immigration or the general rule of law the recent decisions from our leadership to the actions in Ferguson, MO,  lend credence to a dramatic decline in the display of appreciation and gratitude. Sadly, our society seems to be filled with more people who have very little leadership skills and a whole lot of power.

In witnessing this dramatic decline  one must present the question; What are we really seeing develop before our eyes?

In The Hebrew Republic, E.C. Wines wrote, No form of polity ever approached it in grandeur, purity, simplicity and benefice. Had men been more perfect, it would have stood forever. But, for human inconsistency wearied even of a perfect government; and mortal passions corrupted even a divine institution; and the commonwealth of Israel, like the empire of Rome, at length fell beneath the weight of its own vices”. Teaching history is essential to the integrity and longevity of any nation. History has the capability when taught properly to alter the course of any nation. Without teaching history people will surely weary that seemingly perfect government, and like Rome, we too will fall.

John Locke wrote, “As usurpation is the exercise of power which another hath a right to, so tyranny is the exercise of power beyond right, which nobody can have a right to. And this is making use of a power any one has in his hands, not for the good of those who are under it, but for his own private separate advantage – when the governor, however entitled, makes not the law, but his will, the rule, and his commands and actions are not properties of his people, but the satisfaction of his own ambitions, revenge, covetousness, or any other irregular passion”.

Can America as we know it really fall in our lifetime?

John Adams wrote; “What a fine consolation it is for man, that he can be subjected to no laws which he does not make, or constitute some of his friends to make for him… in a large society… it is impossible that the whole should assemble to make laws, the first necessary step, then, is to depute power from the many to the few”.

In 1776 John Adams also wrote, “Our constitution was made for a moral and religious people. It is wholly inadequate for the government of any other”.

Consider those word carefully.

The constitution used to be the document that secured a stable society, now that same society seems to think the constitution is outdated and cannot support them. It helps us now to understand why folks feel a need to change the constitution “now.”

Our Constitution can without question be traced back to Biblical principles! For a republic to stand the people MUST be virtuous.

Proverbs 29:2 reads, “when the righteous are in authority, the people rejoice; but when the wicked rule, the people mourn”. This helps us to put things in perspective when we consider the past election cycle, immigration or Ferguson, MO .

Really…spending more on an election than on many of our needy programs, secure our sovereignty, or to teach pure history,  is a virtue you would want to stand before God to try to defend!

Again, the words of John Adams – “We may look to the Armies for our defense, but virtue is our best security. It is not possible that any state long remain free, where virtue is not supremely honored”!

What are our virtues?  

Deuteronomy 4 verse 5 – 8 has some great instruction, and these words are for a great nation then and now.

5Behold, I have taught you statutes and judgments, even as the Lord my God commanded me, that ye should do so in the land whither ye go to possess it.  6Keep therefore and do them; for this is your wisdom and your understanding in the sight of the nations, which shall hear all these statutes, and say, Surely this great nation is a wise and understanding people.  7For what nation is there so great, who hath God so nigh unto them, as the Lord our God is in all things that we call upon him for?  8And what nation is there so great, that hath statutes and judgments so righteous as all this law, which I set before you this day?

I think the best plan lays with the duty, as well as the privilege of God fearing men and women to prefer the same to be their rulers. We cannot allow those whose religion is the destruction of a society fathered by God, or those whose religion is political affiliation. Their intent is to destroy the greatest gift given to man…FREEDOM!

“Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom”. 2 Cor 3:17

Who has the best plan?

For starters…We must learn from the lessons of our founding fathers as well as from the lessons of Ferguson, MO. In order to get back to being a grateful God fearing, God blessed Nation we must learn from our wrongs and turn back to God or be willing to suffer the consequences!

Where, oh where, is the wisdom we so desperately need?

From a leadership standpoint, where do we go from here?

I am thankful for God being in control of all things, and ALL the men and women who have sacrificed time, talent and treasure to afford me the opportunity to experience the freedoms I enjoy!
Photo credit: World Can’t Wait / Foter / CC BY
Photo credit: CazzJj / Foter / CC BY
Photo credit: cliff1066™ / Foter / CC BY
Photo credit: The U.S. National Archives / Foter / No known copyright restrictions
Photo credit: David Paul Ohmer / Foter / CC BY