As America celebrates 250 years, what is the secret to a nation’s endurance?
We’ve made it longer than they thought. Some of our forefathers had doubts about how long the new Republic would stand. They had watched nations come and go. They knew that human nature is selfish and self-destructive. So their feelings about the future of America ranged from understandable pessimism to cautious optimism.
And yet here we are. If they could be brought back, the founding fathers would be pleasantly surprised to see that we made it this long without, as John Adams warned, committing suicide.
But why is this a surprise? It is true that our nation has changed. There is no doubt that the morals and spirituality of the leaders and the people of America have degenerated. But there are still God-fearing Christian people in this land. They refuse to compromise, and they are busier than ever evangelizing and fighting the good fight of faith. The salt of the earth is still at work preserving and seasoning an otherwise ungrateful people.
Statesmen and preachers in the 1700s and 1800s said the key to our future would be the acknowledgement of God. Benjamin Franklin said in his Constitutional Convention Address on Prayer, “I have lived, Sir, a long time and the longer I live, the more convincing proofs I see of this truth—that God governs in the affairs of men. And if a sparrow cannot fall to the ground without His notice, is it probable that an empire can rise without His aid?”
Long before this nation was founded, men who were inspired of God taught that a nation’s future depends on its regard for God. “Righteousness exalts a nation” (Proverbs 14:34). As we enjoy bountiful prosperity and religious freedom from the hand of God on the 250th anniversary of the birth of this nation, may we humble ourselves in prayer and devotion and dedicate our lives to fearing the Creator and keeping his commandments.
Kerry Duke
Vice President of Academics & Academic Affairs
Tennessee Bible College