Editor's note: Happy Memorial Day! Today we offer profound thanks to all the American families who have lost a serviceman or woman in the protection of our nation. Enjoy this devotion from God’s Promises for the American Patriot by Dr. Richard Lee & Jack Countryman.
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On Memorial Day in 1923, Calvin Coolidge, the thirtieth President of the United States, spoke about the Puritan forefathers:
If there be a destiny, it is of no avail for us unless we work with it. The ways of Providence will be of no advantage to us unless we proceed in the same direction. If we perceive a destiny in America, if we believe that Providence has been our guide, our own success, our own salvation requires that we should act and serve in harmony and obedience…
Settlers came here from mixed motives, some for pillage and adventure, some for trade and refuge, but those who have set their imperishable mark upon our institutions came from far higher motives… They were intent upon establishing a Christian commonwealth in accordance with the principle of self-government.
They were an inspired body of men… They had a genius for organized society on the foundation of piety, righteousness, liberty, and obedience to law. They brought with them the accumulated wisdom and experience of the ages... Who can fail to see... the hand of destiny? Who can doubt that it has been guided by a Divine Providence?1
Therefore be careful to observe them; for this is your wisdom and your understanding in the sight of the peoples who will hear all these statutes, and say, “Surely this great nation is a wise and understanding people.” — Deuteronomy 4:6
Bondservants, be obedient to those who are your masters according to the flesh, with fear and trembling, in sincerity of heart, as to Christ; not with eye service, as men-pleasers, but as bondservants of Christ, doing the will of God from the heart, with goodwill doing service, as to the Lord, and not to men, knowing that whatever good anyone does, he will receive the same from the Lord, whether he is a slave or free. — Ephesians 6:5–8
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The Goal of Government
When the first settlers arrived in America, the influence of the Bible on their lives came with them.
For many, their Christian faith was as much a part of who they were as their brave spirit was, and their faith impacted everything they did. This fact stands out boldly as one sees, again and again, Scripture reflected in the individual colonies’ statements of the goal of their government. An early Rhode Island charter from 1638, for instance, begins this way:
“We… submit our persons, lives and estates unto our Lord Jesus Christ, the King of kings and Lord of lords, and to all those perfect and most absolute laws of His given us in His holy word.”2
In fact, from the first colony at Jamestown to the Pennsylvania Charter of Privileges granted to William Penn in 1701—where “all Persons who... profess to believe in Jesus Christ, the Saviour of the World, shall be capable... to serve this Government in any capacity, both legislatively and executively”3—the Bible was considered the rule of life in the colonies.
The counsel of the LORD stands forever, the plans of His heart to all generations. Blessed is the nation whose God is the LORD, the people He has chosen as His own inheritance. — Psalm 33:11–12
But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in My name, He will teach you all things, and bring to your remembrance all things that I said to you. — John 14:26
They have forsaken the right way and gone astray, following the way of Balaam the son of Beor, who loved the wages of unrighteousness; but he was rebuked for his iniquity: a dumb donkey speaking with a man’s voice restrained the madness of the prophet. These are wells without water, clouds carried by a tempest, for whom is reserved the blackness of darkness forever. — 2 Peter 2:15–17
1. Calvin Coolidge, “The Destiny of America,” Northampton, Memorial Day, 1923, Calvin Coolidge Presidential Foundation, https://coolidgefoundation.org/resources/vice-president-1921-1923-13/.
2. “Government of Pocasset,” March 7, 1638, Teaching American History, Ashbrook Center at Ashland University, https://teachingamericanhistory.org/document/government-of-pocasset/.
3. Charter of Privileges Granted by William Penn, Esq. to the Inhabitants of Pennsylvania and Territories, October 28, 1701, transcript, The Avalon Project, Yale Law School, https://avalon.law.yale.edu/18th_century/pa07.asp.
Excerpted with permission from God’s Promises for the American Patriot by Dr. Richard Lee & Jack Countryman, copyright Dr. Richard G. Lee and Jack Countryman.
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Your Turn
Today in the United States we celebrate Memorial Day honoring military personnel who died in service. We are so grateful for those servicemen and women who laid down their lives for their fellow Americans. “There is no greater love than this—that a man should lay down his life for his friends” (John 15:13). ~ Devotionals Daily