Seeking God's Will For The Nation

"Today's Devotion" For October 6, 2005

Read: Matthew 7:24-29; Psalm 33

SEEKING GOD'S WILL FOR THE NATION

"The counsel of the Lord stands forever, the plans of His heart to all generations. Blessed is the nation whose God is the Lord, and the people He has chosen as His own inheritance." (Ps. 33:11, 12)

High on the hit parade of issues that face the nation these days is the nomination and confirmation of a new Supreme Court Justice. A little more than a week has passed since a new Chief Justice was confirmed and invested into the office, and the nation is again facing a decision concerning a replacement for the retiring Associate Justice Sandra Day O'Connor. As with the rhetoric and debate that surrounded the President's nomination for Chief Justice during the last month, we are again experiencing the push and tug between political parties, legal scholars, news pundits, and special interest groups. Because of the importance of the Supreme Court of the United States to our system of justice and fair play, the selection of an Associate Justice is critical to the continued strength of our democratic ideals and the republic that stands upon them. Sadly, it seems as if our selection process has become one more attuned to political debate, back room maneuvering, and intrigue than reasoned thought and the seeking of divine guidance for the good of the nation.

In the early days of the Republic there was much maneuvering that took place as the young nation sought to establish fair and equitable representation in the Congress of the United States. During July of 1787, at the Federal Convention in Philadelphia, one of the most pressing issues and "bones of contention" was whether or not the larger states would allow the smaller states an equal vote in Congress. It was such a contentious issue that it brought the convention to a standstill. At the heart of the issue was the very same thing that so often divides us today - control of the nation's heart and mind. The ideological issues that are constantly in the forefront of our political and social concerns today are nothing new. Everyone believes they have the "solution" to the nation's moral, fiscal, ethical, and political troubles. An in depth reading of our history, however, seems to indicate that there was a bit more civility in how our forefathers dealt with each other, a bit more integrity in their decision making processes, and a decided belief that at the heart of every issue were spiritual concerns and needs.

During that hot and sometimes acrimonious July in 1787 the future of the nation hung in the balance. According to various accounts, it appears as if the Convention would have disbanded if something wasn't done quickly about the impasse on "equal representation." With the Convention at a standstill and in danger of disbanding, which would have been of great detriment to the young Republic, that wise, revered and wily elder statesman, Benjamin Franklin, took the floor of the Convention. He gave a reasoned and impassioned speech recounting the nation's founding and the importance of building the nation wisely and well so that it would remain strong and a beacon of freedom throughout the world. At the conclusion of his speech he finished with the following words as he addressed the Chair:

"I have lived, Sir, a long time; and the longer I live the more convincing proofs I see of this truth - that God governs the affairs of men! We have been assured, Sir, in the Sacred Writings, that 'except the Lord build the house, they labor in vain that build it!' (Ps. 127:1). I firmly believe this; and I also believe that without His concurring aid we shall succeed in this political building no better than the builders of Babel; we shall be divided by our little, partial, local interests, our projects will be confounded, and we ourselves shall become a reproach and a byword down to future ages. And, what is worse, mankind may hereafter, from this unfortunate instance despair of establishing government by human wisdom, and leave it to chance, war, and conquest.

I, therefore, beg leave to move, that henceforth prayers, imploring the assistance of heaven, and its blessings on our deliberations, be held in this Assembly every morning and that one or more of the clergy of this city be requested to officiate in that service."

As the issues of the day face us in every part of our lives - home, community, nation, world - it's important for us to be reminded that we need God's wisdom and strength for us to live lives filled with hope and peace. Thus we prayer that God would lead and guide our nation
to serve truth, justice, and peace. Trusting God's promises to hear our prayers for the sake of Jesus, we come before Him with the prayer that our nation's leaders set aside their rhetoric and seek God's wisdom in determining the solutions for our national concerns and needs. As we walk the walk of disciples of Jesus Christ, filled with His love, grace, mercy, and forgiveness and uplifted by the hope that faith in Him brings into our lives we also pray that we might be instruments of His wisdom and love for all humanity and that we might be blessings to those who lead so they might lead wisely and in accordance with God's Will.

Prayer: Father, I pray that You would guide our political and governmental leaders in these United States to trust in You for guidance and strength. Guide them by the power of Your Word and Spirit to do what is right, just, and pleasing in Your sight. Remove all false hopes, false ideas, and all things which would lead the nation down the path to destruction. Give wisdom and courage to the nation's leaders so that they might see through the "empty chatter" of political posturing and lead the nation into actions that are pleasing in Your sight. Give me Your Spirit also, that I might seek to serve my neighbors and faithfully support those who lead through daily prayer. Above all, gracious Father, raise up leaders for the nation who will courageously and wisely seek Your guidance and purpose for the sake of the Union and the peace of the world. In Jesus' precious name I pray. Amen.
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--Pastor Boeck

Copyright @2005 Rev. Richard J. Boeck, Jr. All rights reserved.