Propitious Smiles of Heaven

 

If my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and I will forgive their sin and will heal their land. ~2 Chronicles 7:14

Since we ought to be no less persuaded that the propitious smiles of Heaven, can never be expected on a nation that disregards the eternal rules of order and right, which Heaven itself has ordained:  And since the preservation of the sacred fire of liberty, and the destiny of the Republican model of Government, are justly considered as deeply, perhaps as finally staked, on the experiment entrusted to the hands of the American people.  ~George Washington - First Inaugural Address.

The year is 1963.  Our nation is grieving the tragic loss of President John F. Kennedy.  I am eight-years-old.

My parents decide to take us on the train to be with family in Massachusetts for the Christmas holidays.  But the trip is planned with a strategic stop in Washington, D.C.  Though time has faded some memories, I do recall a few vividly.  We stayed at the historic Mayflower Hotel.  We also trekked to the grave of JFK to observe the eternal flame glowing, the one of hope for the perseverance of this nation.  My poor Mary-Jane clad feet practically freeze off!

Yet another memory, shrouded in the past, resurfaces this week as I witness members of the Senate shredding the precepts of our Constitution.  During our D.C. stay, our parents take my brother and I to the National Archives Museum.  The Declaration of Independence and the Constitution are displayed there, under protective glass, but still accessible to viewing.  I recall my father's words as if it were yesterday.

"Martha Jane, Billy, you are looking at America's Bible.  These are the documents that define our nation.  Don't ever forget that."

At that very moment, I feel an awe I can't put into words.  Yes, I believe what my dad has said, but it goes beyond that.  It points to our eternal God, because without Him and His precepts, this country would never have been founded in the way it was.  His blessings, His Word, gave birth to a nation of hope and promise.

A Judeo-Christian vision whose light cannot be quenched.

Or, so we thought.

What I witness the United States Senate do this week, voting to impeach a former president, who is now a private citizen, chills my blood.  This goes against every law and precept upon which our nation is founded.  They are not calling upon the "propitious smiles of Heaven," but forging ahead with their own selfish, self-serving interests, calling down the anger of God in the process.

The Lord of all knew what He was about when He created us "One Nation, Under God," and He is not pleased.  The divisiveness and rancor are not His doing, and in His mercy, He longs for us to repent of our many sins and return to Him with humble hearts.

This week, "America's Bible" is being desecrated.  What are we going to do about it?  How are we to proceed going forward?

Let us pray, long and hard, that God will prevail upon the wicked, causing them to see His light, and cleanse them from their evil ways.

May the Lord show mercy to us all.

Amen!