We often find fault with our country and our government. At this time, let’s look back to the founding of our Constitution. We need to recall some fiascos that were debated by the founders. And they may have become law were it not for the possible intervention of divine Providence.
For instance, Congressman Elbridge Gerry of Massachusetts felt that one chief executive would be too kinglike. He demanded that the United States have not one, but three presidents. There would be one from the north, one from the south and one from the middle states.
Alexander Hamilton motioned that the president’s term be for life! He believed an ex-president would be a subversive influence.
Congressman Roger Sherman of Connecticut pushed for the president’s role to be that of a mere clerk or supervisor. Therefore, the president would only make sure that Congress was doing its job.
Ben Franklin didn’t believe that the president should even receive a salary, otherwise the position might merely attract greedy persons.
George Reed of Delaware was afraid that larger states might exert too much power. So, he called for the dissolution of all state boundaries and governments. Other motions called for laws requiring that the number of western states never exceed the number of Atlantic states – greatly inhibiting the future size of America.
And consider Benjamin Franklin’s passionate pursuit of what the national bird should be – not the bald eagle, but the turkey!
Just think of how inefficient, impotent, and small our country and government might have been if these motions had passed. But God was present in our nation’s founding, giving wisdom to our leaders as they made decisions that would ultimately affect the future of the world. We need to daily pray for our leaders in government that God will guide them. We must pray that God would help them to lead our nation on the path of righteousness. In Scripture, the apostle Paul admonished, “I urge, then, first of all, that requests, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for everyone – for kings and all those in authority, that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness.” (1 Timothy 2:1-2)
PRAYER:
Dear Father in heaven, please bless and strengthen our leaders in government – our President, his cabinet, our Congress, our Supreme Court justices, our governors, and our mayors. Fill them with wisdom and courage to choose the right and to reject the wrong and guide them to lead our nation on the path of righteousness – for righteousness exalts a nation but sin is a reproach to any people. Amen.
