Our Nation

As my brother and I prepare for the Charlotte714 assembly on Labor Day Weekend we can't help but see incredible lessons to be learned as Americans from the historical accounts of Israel in the bible. The interesting fact is that most of our founding fathers recognized and gleaned from these lessons as well, including George Washington on the day of his inauguration.

Solomon was the wisest king that ever lived. Kings and Queens from all over the world traveled to hear his wisdom and see the splendor of his kingdom. What I find interesting is that when he was a young king God visited him in a dream and told him that He would grant whatever him whatever he requested. Without hesitation Solomon asked for Wisdom. I'm not sure I would've asked for that, but because of Solomon's wise request God gave him both wisdom and wealth.

Daniel is one of the most powerful men in the Bible. Of all the things Daniel did, what I am most impressed with is how he assumed responsibility not only for his own sins but also for the sins of his nation. This is the same Daniel that interpreted dreams, shut the mouths of lions, and stood against sinful decrees made by the government of his day.

One of the things I love most about reading through the bible every year is how relevant to life the stories and teachings are. The Bible is timeless. This week I've been reading through the book of 1 Kings, and in chapter 14 highlights King Rehoboam's life.

Unfortunately for the tribe of Judah, Rehoboam was a bad king. Under his rule Judah engaged in idolatry of all kinds, including male cult prostitution. This was a grave sin in God's eyes. Therefore, God allowed Judah to be ransacked by Shishak, the king of Egypt.

Today, as Americans across our nation pray as part of the National Day of Prayer, a small group of atheists are petitioning Americans to set aside a National Day of Reason. Of course, the title to their event suggests that Christians lack reason, which, in fact, is simply unreasonable.

I read a couple quotes in my Bible this morning that I had written in the margin of Judges 2. The quotes startled me because of their reality, yet what startled me even more was the scripture reference that they applied to.

"All that generation also were gathered to their fathers; and there arose another generation after them who did not know the Lord, nor yet the work which He had done for Israel."

- Judges 2:10

The simple difference between a statesman and a politician is that a statesman stands on principle regardless of how it affects his electability. Furthermore he is willing to die for those principles. For a politician, on the other hand, electability is the supreme standard.

By Jason Benham:

Earlier this week I was reading to my kids about the first battle the Israelites fought to capture the Promised Land. I explained how this battle took place forty years after their parents should have fought it.