When you look at where our nation is at today, it’s really hard to believe that it had such a spiritual beginning. Today in 1639, the American colonies adopted their first constitution known as the “Fundamental Orders.” It was signed In Hartford, Connecticut by representatives of Wethersfield, Windsor, and Hartford.
The Preamble of that constitution says, “Forasmuch as it hath pleased the Almighty God by the wise disposition of his Divine providence so to Order and dispose of things that we the Inhabitants and Residents of Windsor, Hartford and Wethersfield are now cohabiting and dwelling in and upon the River of Connecticut and the Lands thereunto adjoining; and Well knowing where a people are gathered together the word of God requires that to maintain the peace and union of such a people there should be an orderly and decent Government established according to God, to order and dispose of the affairs of the people at all seasons as occasion shall require; do therefore associate and conjoin ourselves to be as one Public like State or Commonwealth; and do, for ourselves and our Successors and such as shall be adjoined to vs at anytime hereafter, enter into Combination and Confederation together, to maintain and preserve the liberty and purity of the gospel of our Lord Jesus which we now profess, as also the discipline of the Churches, which according to the truth of the said gospel is now practiced amongst us; As also in our Civil Affairs to be guided and governed according to such Laws, Rules, Orders and decrees as shall be made, ordered & decreed, as followeth:—”1
If I had given you the copy of this without editing, you would see that things were spelled very differently in the 17th century. The letters “u” and “v” were interchanged. However, it should be crystal clear that the colonies began with an understanding of God’s presence and blessing and the necessity for the propagation of the Gospel.
The closing words of this document give the oaths that were to be taken by different elected officials. Consider these words carefully. Just for the fun of it, I’m not going to correct the spelling so you can see how the documents would have read. But I think you will be able to figure it out, especially the important parts.
“The Oath of the Gournor, for the Prsent
I N.W. being now chosen to be Gournor wthin this Jurisdiction, for the yeare ensueing, and vntil a new be chosen, doe sweare by the greate and dreadful name of the everliueing God, to prmote the publicke good and peace of the same, according to the best of my skill; as also will mayntayne all lawfull priuiledges of this Commonwealth: as also that all wholsome lawes that are or shall be made by lawfull authority here established, be duly executed; and will further the execution of Justice according to the rule of Gods word; so helpe me God, in the name of the Lo: Jesus Christ.
The Oath of a Magestrate, for the Prsent
I, N.W. being chosen a Magestrate wthin this Jurisdiction for the yeare ensueing, doe sweare by the great and dreadfull name of the euerliueing God, to prmote the publike good and peace of the same, according to the best of my skill, and that I will mayntayne all the lawfull priuiledges therof according to my vnderstanding, as also assist in the execution of all such wholsome lawes as are made or shall be made by lawfull authority heare established, and will further the execution of Justice for the tyme aforesaid according to the righteous rule of Gods word; so helpe me God, etc.”2
President-elect Trump has run his campaigns with the mantra “Make America Great Again.” Well, Mr. President, returning our nation to this kind of thinking is exactly what it would take for us to be truly great once again.
I don’t place that on the shoulders of any president, though. It doesn’t matter if it’s a Democrat or Republican who holds the seat of the White House or controlling interest in the chambers of Congress. They cannot accomplish this. It’s the responsibility of God’s people. God’s people supply the moral compass of a society.
Two things must happen in this new year. First, the church must purge and purify itself. 2 Corinthians 6:17-18 says, “Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing; and I will receive you, (18) And will be a Father unto you, and ye shall be my sons and daughters, saith the Lord Almighty.”
Second, 2 Chronicles 7:14 shows us that the fate of a nation rests in the hands and hearts of God’s people. “If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land.”
Let us never forget the truth of Psalms 33:12. “Blessed is the nation whose God is the LORD; and the people whom he hath chosen for his own inheritance.”
1https://oll.libertyfund.org/pages/1639-fundamental-orders-of-connecticut
2Ibid.
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