Presidents' Days Series

We have to admit that our Founding Fathers were brilliant men. They have given us a Constitution that is second to none and capable of lasting as long as the earth stands. One reason for this is that these men understood human nature. Within the Constitution and other American documents these men wisely addressed the nature of people with biblical principles. Thus, it is capable of standing a long, long time.

Through the years, our Presidents have also proven themselves. These men have “risen to the top” in the political world in which they lived. They often also rose to the top of the nation in times of great challenge.

We honor our Presidents on the third Monday of February each year. “Presidents Day” originally began in the 1880’s as a day to honor George Washington’s birthday (February 22). Later, we honored Abraham Lincoln on his birthday (February 12). In 1968 Congress combined the two Presidents’ birthdays into one Federal holiday that came into effect in 1971.

With great appreciation for William J. Federer and his book, "Prayers and Presidents," I have chosen quotes from six Presidents with brief application to biblical principles they endowed in their lives. These men were not “perfect.” Yet, they often had insights and understandings about God and His will that benefit us.

In fact, one of the beautiful qualities of our God is that He works with fallen, broken sinners. This epitomized the life of Jesus as seen in Matthew 9:13(ESV):

Go and learn what this means: ‘I desire mercy, and not sacrifice.’ For I came not to call the righteous, but sinners.”

The principle is true for individuals and nations. While it is true that God loves us as we are, He loves us too much to leave us as we are. That’s true for you, for me, and for the nation. America has made much improvement over the years as a result of the leadership of some of our Presidents, especially those who spoke the word of God to us.

The writer of the Book of Hebrews makes a point about our relationship to our leaders. In the context it applies first of all to our church leaders. These are shepherds for our souls. Some Presidents have felt a keen sense of responsibility towards the spirituality of our nation. It would seem that the principle would apply to our civic as well as spiritual leaders, especially when civic leaders lean on God as they lead us.

Hebrews 13:7-8 (ESV) 7 Remember your leaders, those who spoke to you the word of God. Consider the outcome of their way of life, and imitate their faith.

How we love to be led by good people. That is, people who have the best interest of their followers in mind, not how they can get ahead by abusing their flock. Note the Wise Man’s observation in Proverbs 29:2 ESV):

When the righteous increase, the people rejoice, but when the wicked rule, the people groan.

I. George Washington: A Sagacity of Sincerity

GEORGE WASHINGTON, JUL. 2, 1776, ORDER FROM NEW YORK HEADQUARTERS:

The time is now near at hand which must probably determine whether Americans are to be freemen or slaves; whether they are to have any property they can call their own; whether their houses and farms are to be pillaged and destroyed, and themselves consigned to a state of wretchedness from which no human efforts will deliver them.

The fate of unborn millions will now depend, under God, on the courage and conduct of this army. Our cruel and unrelenting enemy leaves us no choice but a brave resistance, or the most abject submission. We have, therefore to resolve to conquer or die. Our own country’s honor calls upon us for a vigorous and manly exertion, and if we now shamefully fail, we shall become infamous to the whole world.

Let us rely upon the goodness of the cause, and the aid of the Supreme Being in whose hands victory is, to animate and encourage us to great and noble actions.

Obviously, I didn’t know Washington in person. However, he appears to be one of the most devout and sincere people of our founding era. Michael McCartney points out that George Washington’s motto’s were impressed upon Him by the Lord and they were “Deeds, not words”, and “For God and my Country.”

Washington teaches us that while we trust God, we must also put that trust into action. Biblically, faith is an action word. It does what God says as well as internally acknowledge it. There are many biblical examples, but James reminds us:

James 2:18 (ESV) But someone will say, “You have faith and I have works.” Show me your faith apart from your works, and I will show you my faith by my works.