As Israel, failed to heed The Lord’s warning after she was dedicated in 997 BCE; America, also dedicated to the Lord God on two occasions, April 29, 1607 when the settlers landed on the shores of Virginia before permitting the colonists to continue inland, Rev. Hunt required that every person wait before God in a time of personal examination and cleansing. Three days later, on April 29, 1607, the expedition, led by Parson Hunt, went ashore to dedicate the continent to the glory of God. They carried one item with them from England for the purpose of giving glory to God in the endeavor – a rough-hewn wooden cross. As the party landed on the wind-swept shore they erected the seven-foot oak cross in the sand. Again on April 30, 1789 as a newly found Nation by the newly inaugurated President as can be read by his prayer at St. Paul’s Chapel on the day of his inauguration:
Almighty God,
“We make our earnest prayer that Thou
wilt keep the United States in Thy Holy protection; and Thou wilt incline the
hearts of the Citizens to cultivate a spirit of subordination and obedience to
Government; and entertain a brotherly affection and love for one another and
for their fellow Citizens of the United States at large, and particularly for
their brethren who have served in the Field. And finally that Thou wilt most graciously be pleased to
dispose us all to do justice, to love mercy, and to demean ourselves with that
Charity, humility, and pacific temper of mind which were the Characteristics of
the Divine Author of our blessed Religion, and without a humble imitation of
whose example in these things we can never hope to be a happy nation. Grant our
supplication, we beseech Thee, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.”
--George Washington
Just
prior, at his inauguration he said:
"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 council 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."
Remembering
that “All Scripture is given by inspiration
of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for
instruction in righteousness, (2 Timothy 3:16)
Let’s then take heed to God’s warning to Israel as
written in 2 Chronicles 7,
"But if you turn away and forsake the decrees and commands I have given you
and go off to serve other gods and worship them, then I will uproot Israel from my land, which I have given them, and will reject this temple I have
consecrated for my Name. I will make it a byword and an object of ridicule among all peoples. And though this temple is now so imposing, all
who pass by will be appalled and say,
'Why has the LORD done such a thing to this land and to this temple?' People will answer, 'Because they have forsaken the LORD, the God of
their fathers, who brought them out of Egypt, and have embraced other gods,
worshiping and serving them--that is why he brought all
this disaster on them.' "
"O Lord, the great
and awesome God, who keeps his covenant of love with all who love him and obey his commands, we have sinned and done wrong. We have been wicked and have rebelled; we have turned away from your commands and laws. We have
not listened to your servants the prophets, who spoke in your name to our kings, our princes and our fathers, and to all the people of the land. "Lord, you are
righteous, but this day we are covered with shame--the men of Judah and people of Jerusalem and all Israel,
both near and far, in all the countries where you have scattered us because of our unfaithfulness to you. O LORD, we and our kings, our princes and our fathers are
covered with shame because we have sinned against you. The
Lord our God is merciful and forgiving, even though we
have rebelled against him; we have not obeyed the LORD our
God or kept the laws he gave us through his servants the prophets. All Israel has transgressed your law and turned away, refusing to obey you. "Therefore the curses and sworn judgments written in the Law
of Moses, the servant of God, have been poured out on us, because we have sinned against you. You have fulfilled the words spoken against us and against our rulers by
bringing upon us great disaster. Under the whole heaven
nothing has ever been done like what has been done to
Jerusalem. Just as it is written in the Law of Moses, all
this disaster has come upon us, yet we have not sought the favor of the LORD our God by turning from our sins and giving attention to
your truth. The LORD did not hesitate to bring the
disaster upon us, for the LORD our God is righteous in everything he does; yet
we have not obeyed him. "Now, O Lord our God, who brought your people out
of Egypt with a mighty hand and who made for yourself a name that endures to
this day, we have sinned, we have done wrong. O Lord, in keeping with all your
righteous acts, turn away your anger and your wrath from
Jerusalem, your city, your holy hill.
Our sins and the iniquities of our fathers have made Jerusalem and your people
an object of scorn to all those around us. "Now, our
God, hear the prayers and petitions of your servant. For your sake, O Lord,
look with favor on your desolate sanctuary. Give ear, O God, and hear; open your eyes and see the desolation of the city that bears your Name. We do not make requests of you because we are righteous, but because
of your great mercy. O Lord, listen! O Lord, forgive! O Lord, hear and act! For your sake, O
my God, do not delay, because your city and your people bear your Name."
(Daniel 9:10ff)
No comments:
Post a Comment