Blessed Is the Nation Whose God Is the Lord
June 16, 2010
Dear Believers Stand United Partners,
America is a Christian nation. This statement is historically
and spiritually accurate. It is impossible for anyone with
intellectual integrity to separate the birth of the democratic
republic of the United States of America from the decidedly
Christian writings, ideals and faith-filled convictions of
the men and women who founded it.
A simple walking tour of the U.S. Capitol building reveals
our Christian heritage. Within just a few steps you will see
on the circular wall of the rotunda, people kneeling in prayer,
several open Bibles and the Name of the Lord Jesus Christ.
In addition, immediately above the chair of the Speaker of
the House of Representatives in the House Chamber we read
these words: “In God We Trust.” And directly across
the room from that is a sculpture of Moses affixed to the
wall.
So, let’s explore the history of our great nation, as
well as the need for people like you and me to stand up, speak
out and make our voices heard for liberty today. It is true
that America requires advanced citizenship—we must really
want the freedoms we espouse. And we must stay involved to
keep these freedoms real, active and alive for all in this
“land of the free.” These days there is a lot
of talk in our nation about freedom for all groups of people,
but as we will see, this is often true for only one viewpoint.
Let’s look at how this nation began and then we’ll
look at what we need to do now to keep America free for the
generations to come.
“One Nation Under God” was the spiritual and political
legacy of the Great Awakening. By the late 1700s all of America
in some form had heard about and experienced the biblical
truth that, in Jesus Christ, all are brothers and sisters.
Highborn or commoner, great merchant or poor farmer, magistrate
or soldier—all are equal at the foot of the Cross. It
was preached throughout the land that heaven is open to all
who accept Jesus. The equality of believers was constantly
proclaimed in American churches, so it was only natural this
sentiment would extend into civil government as well. Here
is the seed of the democracy which would be embodied by the
Constitution of the United States. In addition, resistance
to evil and oppression was a favorite topic in pulpits throughout
the American Colonies and the words, “No king but Jesus,
no king but Jesus, no king but Jesus” were often proclaimed
in the streets.
The first week in December 1775, King George III announced
his decision to crush the so-called “continental rebellion”
by force of arms, including the use of mercenaries. This rebellion
was our forefathers simply standing up for freedoms such as
no taxation without representation, free exercise of religion
and the ability to own land without indebtedness to a distant
monarchy. The House of Lords voted in favor of the king’s
proposal 76-33 and the House of Commons followed suit 278-108.
England declared war on the American Colonies.
Gen. George Washington, preparing for the daunting challenge
of the battle ahead, wrote in his journal, “Direct my
thoughts, words and work, wash away my sins with the blood
of Jesus and purge my heart with the Holy Spirit. Daily frame
me more and more into the likeness of Jesus Christ.”
As Washington was raising an army, those great legislators
Franklin, Adams, Sherman, Livingston and Jefferson worked
on the draft of the proposed Declaration of Independence.
July 1, 1776, Congress entered into what John Adams called
“the greatest debate of all.” Just as not everyone
in England supported a war with the Colonies, not everyone
in the Continental Congress was in favor of going to war with
the largest military power in the world. In the ensuing debate,
Dickinson of Pennsylvania spoke at length against independence.
Then John Adams rose and spoke with such quiet power and conviction
not a person present remained unmoved, especially as he spoke
these words: “Before God, I believe the hour has come.
And my whole heart is in it. All that I have and all that
I am and all that I hope in this life, I am ready to stake
upon it. Live or die, I am for this declaration. Independence
now! Independence forever!”
Congress proceeded to vote—nine of the 13 Colonies voted
yes that day. Pennsylvania and South Carolina voted no. Delaware
was in a deadlock (as their third delegate was not present)
and New York abstained. Since Congress had agreed that any
such vote should be unanimous, it was decided the debate would
resume the next morning, to be followed by another vote.
In the meantime, to resolve the Delaware tie, which could
well decide the outcome, an express rider was dispatched to
Dover, the Capitol of Delaware, to get Delegate Caesar Rodney.
The rider arrived at Rodney’s farm at 2 a.m., bearing
word the debate on independence would resume in less than
seven hours, after which the final vote would be taken. Getting
his best horse, Rodney galloped off into the black, stormy
night. It was 89 miles to Philadelphia over stretches of road
which were difficult under the best conditions—and this
night could not have been worse. Streams which were normally
fordable had become swollen torrents, and the rain had turned
one portion of the road into a quagmire so deep Rodney had
to dismount several times and lead his horse through it. Unable
to obtain a fresh horse until dawn, he nevertheless arrived
at the State House by 1 p.m.—just as the final vote
was being taken. Half carried into the assembly room, he was
barely able to speak these words: “As I believe my constituents
are in favor of independence, my own judgment concurs with
them. I vote aye for independence.”
The Delaware deadlock was broken and the other delegates voted
the same way, except for New York which abstained. The decision
was 12 to zero. The 13 original Colonies had just officially
become the United States of America. As silence blanketed
the room, John Hancock spoke up, “Gentlemen, the price
on my head has just doubled.”
A wry chuckle followed and then Samuel Adams arose, “We
have this day restored the Sovereign, to whom alone men ought
to be obedient. He reigns in heaven and from the rising to
the setting sun may His kingdom come.”
Much like our intrepid forefathers who risked all for freedom
and faith, we too are called upon today—in 21st century
America—to stand up, speak up and never shut up for
the cause of freedom and the gospel of Jesus Christ. Our freedoms
are being attacked and we must be vigilant, aware and involved.
Just recently individuals and organizations have fought against
the National Day of Prayer and prayer before legislative bodies.
We have also witnessed elected officials attempting to hide,
obscure or simply remove any mention of God from our U.S.
Capitol Visitors Center, and we frequently hear stories of
teachers and government employees not being allowed to share
their beliefs in their classrooms or work environments. We
have also heard an elected official declare that America is
not a Christian nation. This is what I meant earlier when
I said it seems in America today only one viewpoint is free—all
others are very costly. That is why people of faith, like
you and I, must engage the culture and remind our fellow citizens
and elected officials about the history of our nation and
its inextricable connection to the bright future that is ahead
for our country.
Here is the good news: Our work through Believers Stand United
is making a difference! Over the past year we have seen victory
for prayer as city councils in Lodi and Tehachapi, Calif.,
have voted unanimously to keep prayer before their council
meetings. The words “In God We Trust” have been
returned to the Capitol Visitors Center, where they had been
erased and replaced with golden stars. Teachers have been
acquitted of wrongdoing for praying before a meal at a high-school
booster club event in Florida, and most recently a teacher
was restored to his position at Westview High School in San
Diego, Calif., after being sued and removed for displaying
Christian quotes from the early founders of our nation. In
this case, comments by U.S. District Judge Roger Benitez were
particularly important: “While the school district encourages
students to celebrate diversity, and values thinking for one’s
self, they apparently fear their students are incapable of
dealing with diverse viewpoints that include God’s place
in American history and culture.”
Yes, for anyone who is even slightly aware of American history,
the United States is a Christian nation, but it is crucial
for each of us to pray, stay involved and engaged in politics
to ensure the same is true for future generations. Each of
us has a role to play. Remember, there is no such thing as
“separation of church and state.” That phrase
is a misnomer. It was used by one of the founders of this
nation to affirm that government should not encroach or interfere
in the Church—not that the Church could not be involved
in government and the political process of the United States.
If you haven’t signed up for updates at Believers Stand
United, I invite you to do that today by visiting believersstandunited.com.
Join us at Kenneth Copeland Ministries as together we stand
for the principles of faith in Jesus Christ, the authority
of the Word of God and the freedoms that have made the United
States of America great for more than 200 years.
Thank you for standing with us as together we make a difference
and restore the principles upon which the United States of
America was founded.
Blessings to you and remember,
JESUS IS LORD!
Dr. Stephen Lowell Swisher
Kenneth Copeland Ministries
www.believersstandunited.com
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