Today’s Scripture Reading (August 4,
2013): Psalm 127 & 128
Dwight D.
Eisenhower began his inauguration speech by asking his nation for permission to
utter a private prayer. It was 1953, and the nation was eight years into its
recovery from the Second World War. The Korean War was still raging in North
East Asia (the armistice would not be signed in Korea until July 27th
of that year, just over 60 years ago.) In South East Asia tensions were rising
in Vietnam. War would not officially break out for two more years, but already
the twenty year conflict was on the horizon. The world was just starting to
wake up to the reality that life as we had known it was changing – the world
was changing and it was going to require a different kind of leader to move
forward. It was a time when all the nations were trying to make some very real
decisions about what path they would take into the future.
So
Eisenhower prayed. “Give us, we pray, the power to discern clearly right from
wrong, and allow all our words and actions to be governed thereby … May
cooperation be permitted and be the mutual aim … so that all may work for the
good of our beloved country and Thy glory. Amen.” Eisenhower seemed to know
that a unity of purpose was going to be required in the new world – one that
was led and authorized by God. It was a prayer that asked that we would be
governed by love. And when he took the oath of office, the Bible that he swore
the oath on was opened to Psalm 127 and the new president’s hand was laid on
the first verse of the Psalm - Unless the Lord builds the
house, the builders labor in vain.
It is not
that builders are unnecessary and it is not that watchmen are not needed for
the walls. But the Psalmist reminds us that we need to make sure that we are
building what it is that God requires. And that our diligence is being spent on
the things that God finds important. We do not have the time or energy to
devote to the things that are not of God. And I am not sure that we always get
that.
As Christians
we sometimes seem to spend a lot of energy on things that I am not sure deserves
our prime attention. I have been vocal in my disdain for the Pro-Life movement.
It has nothing to do whether or not I believe in the sanctity of life – which I
do. But every time I see a group of Christians protesting an abortion clinic,
and the young confused women that are being cursed as they enter, I have to ask
myself if this is what Jesus would do? Or would he sweep the young girl up in
his arms and assure her of his love and his concern – both now and in the
future. If we are really going to allow God to build the house, I am convinced
that the house will be built on love – and that love will change the way that
we handle everything. Just imagine what a church built on love could look like.
We need to voice Eisenhower’s prayer once more – God teach us what is right.
Tomorrow’s Scripture Reading: Psalm
129 & 130
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