IS THE SUN RISING OR SETTING FOR AMERICA?

Signing the American Constitution

In 1776 the America colonists declared their independence from British rule. The next year they adopted the Articles of Confederation but it proved unsatisfactory because it left the central government too weak. In 1787 a Constitutional Convention was assembled in Philadelphia to draw up the new nation's Constitution. 

Benjamin Franklin

At times it was a rancorous process but the elder statesman, Benjamin Franklin was instrumental in guiding the process along to form a Constitutional document. One of the members of that historical Convention was James Madison. He later wrote that as the last members were signing, Benjamin Franklin looked toward the President's chair. Behind it was a painting of a rising sun. Dr. Franklin said:

"I have, often and often, in the course of the sessions, and in the vicissitudes of my hopes and fears as to its issue, looked at that behind the President, without being able to tell whether  it was rising or setting; but now at length, I have the happiness to know, that it is a rising, and not a setting sun."

And so it was. The sun of American liberty rose bright to give hope and home to oppressed people who believed they could be free and rise to make for themselves a prosperous life by their own endeavors and hard work. They tried to live under the glorious vision of their towering Declaration that stated: 

"We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness."

This human entitlement to liberty was based upon a healthy understanding of the "Laws of Nature and Nature's God" to which the first paragraph of the Declaration of Independence referred. This is both the strength and weakness of the Declaration. Not everyone has or wants a healthy understanding of the Laws of Nature or Nature's God. Inalienable rights also carry inalienable responsibilities.

All humanity has the right to life -- it is the first and highest human right. You can pursue happiness but never on the back or expense of another human being. This is a maxim of human liberty. To think otherwise is licence not liberty. 

Roe versus Wade drove a wedge into the foundations of America's noble vision. The bright sun of human liberty dimmed after January 22nd 1973. 

I believe legalized abortion is more of a threat to America than terrorism. Violence in the womb fuels violence in the streets because it denies Nature's God and abandons the ideal of the sanctity, dignity and equality of every human life. It reveals the true poverty of human hearts without God's influence. 

Rampant abortion only hardened the heart of America to also consider euthanasia and assisted suicide for the old and frail, the incurably ill and disabled, and infanticide of defective newborns. It is a short walk from the nursery to the nursing home. 

How could America have lost its way in less than 240 years? It is because 'Us' was replaced with 'Me', liberty was twisted into licence, and the pursuit of happiness was replaced by hedonism. I believe that God is calling America back to its Judeo-Christian roots. It's up to followers of Christ to shine His light across the land and draw the wayward to God who gave America its original blazing vision.

America must consider the same question as Benjamin Franklin did: Is the sun rising or setting for America? Perhaps with God's mercy and a national repentance there can be a new sunrise for the United States of America. I love America and pray God's blessing for Her.

Mark

United States Army Field Band plays

"Battle Hymn of the Republic"