Nisi Dominus Frusta
"Without the Lord, Frustration"...
In my Stepping Up Bible Study (the Psalms of the Ascent, Beth Moore) there was a passage written by Benjamin Franklin in 1787 from his "Speech to the Convention for Forming a Constitution for the United States" that applies to our world today.
"In the beginning of the contest with Britain when we were sensible of danger, we had daily prayers in this room for the Divine protection. Our prayers, Sir, were heard and they were graciously answered...And have we now forgotten this powerful friend? Or do we imagine that we do no longer need his assistance? I have live for a long time (81yrs) and the longer I live the more convincing proof I see of this truth, that God governs in all affairs of men. And if a sparrow cannot fall without his notice, is it possible that an empire can rise without his aid? We have been assured, Sir, in the sacred writings, that 'Except the Lord build the house, they labour in vain that build it' I firmly believe this, and I also believe that without his concurring aid we shall proceed in this political building no better than the builders of Babel."
When I read this I thought of our world today as we are in the midst of war...Our lack of prayer...In our attempt to be politically correct by respecting the rights of other religions, we have set aside the 'In God We Trust' values in which our country was founded. With the political climate in the United States gearing up for a Presidential election in November as well as many other important offices, let us stop and pray. May we be led to rediscover the power of our Lord and the foundation that only he can provide. Without Him, we are nothing, our labor in vain.
I close with Psalm 127 (NCV) as food for thought:
If the Lord doesn't build the house,
the builders are working for nothing.
If the Lord doesn't guard the city,
the guards are watching for nothing.
It is no use for you to get up early
and stay up late working for a living.
The Lord gives sleep to those he loves.
Children are a gift from the Lord;
babies are a reward.
Children who are born to a young man
are like arrows in the hand of a warrior.
Happy is the man who has his bag full of arrows.
They will not be defeated when they
fight their enemies at the city gate.
1 comment:
I read Franklin's bio while in Thailand. I was shocked to find out he didn't believe in the deity of Jesus. A few of the founders were deists at best. Jefferson and Paine are two I've confirmed. Read Paine's Age of Reason in Sunday School and you will get the boot!
Franklin is an extraordinary IMO. Your bro, Will, is very knowledgable on Franklin matters. oh, check into Franklin's Junto clubs. this could be something you could start....you could hold them at your condo...might be a way to meet eligible men. =)
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