God Governs the Affairs of Men
Every day we pass an often unread and unlived message between us. We do it each time we use a coin or bill to pay for something. That Message? “In God We Trust”.
Interesting isn’t it – that our money was designed to remind us of who it is we put our trust in, each time we spend it. Each time we put it away for a rainy day. Each time we have used it to lift the burden of someone in need. In God we trust.
This currency is powerful in that it pays debts, saves for a future time of need, and provides for opportunities for charity. But even as powerful as this currency is, we are reminded that our trust is not in the currency, but rather, in God.
During the Civil War times there occured a second great awakening. Religious leaders during that time were adamant about demonstrating our trust in God as a nation. Some urged the then Secretary of the Treasury, Salmon Chase, to be mindful of recognizing God, even with our currency.
From Treasury Department records, it appears that the first appeal came in a letter dated November 13, 1861.
It was from a Rev. Watkinson, who was a Minister from Pennsylvania. Here is what he wrote to Secretary Chase;
“Dear Sir: You are about to submit your annual report to the Congress respecting the affairs of the national finances.
One fact touching our currency has been seriously overlooked. I mean the recognition of the Almighty God in some form on our coins. You are probably a Christian. What if our Republic were not shattered beyond reconstruction?
Chase goes on to describe, in his opinion, the perfect design for our currency. He ends with this:
“This would relieve us from the humiliation of heathenism. This would place us openly under the Divine protection we have personally claimed.
From my hearth I have felt our national shame in disowning God as not the least of our present national disasters.”
As a result, Secretary Chase instructed James Pollock, who was the Director of the Mint at Philadelphia, to prepare a motto, in a letter dated November 20, 1861:
“Dear Sir: No nation can be strong except in the strength of God, or safe except in His defense. The trust of our people in God should be declared on our national coins. You will cause a device to be prepared without unnecessary delay with a motto expressing in the fewest and tersest words possible this national recognition.”
In a letter to the Mint Director on December 9, 1863, Secretary Chase stated:
“I approve your mottoes, only suggesting that on that the motto with the shield, it should be changed so as to read: IN GOD WE TRUST.”
IN GOD WE TRUST first appeared on the 1864 two-cent coin.
I find it interesting the Minister’s concern was that should the nation be destroyed, future generations or historians would be unable to determine what type of people we might have been. Heathens or God trusting?
How do we appear now? To each other? To the world? To future generations?
Also of note was Pastor Watkinson concern that their current national struggles might somehow have been a result of disowning God. I wonder if we should be concerned now that our current struggles might be due in some part to disowning that same God.
As we head into a presidential election, can we face the unknown boldly and with a steadfast trust in God? I hear so many speak of their trust in a candidate. But isn’t that trust misplaced?
We need to move beyond this election with the belief that no matter what may come – good or bad, we will prepare to meet each challenge with grace, courage, and trust in God.
Too many of us have, over the years, come to put our faith where it doesn’t belong. And even more people have put their trust in government. Where it really doesn’t belong. Government has become a new god for some.
The Government’s Holy Writ is beginning to read like this;
Our government shall supply all our needs according to its riches. (Taken from the producers of the land of course).
The government is my rock and my fortress, my deliverer, in whom I will trust.
The government is good, a strong hold in the day of trouble.
For you are my hope O Government, oh candidate.
Trust in the Government with all your heart, lean not on your own understanding.
People of faith recite these scriptures and believe them of God. Now, some very foolish people seem to believe these things of the government.
Secretary Chase was correct when he asked;
“How can we as a nation be strong unless our strength is God’s strength? How can we be safe unless we have allowed Him to be our defender?”
Our trust in God must be declared in our hearts as we move forward into the next year of unknowns. We must declare that trust first in our heart, so that our actions may reflect that trust. Our hope should be that other nations, historians and even future generations may look at us and say of us; They truly were a nation whose strength and defense came from God.
There should never be any question regarding what type of people we may have been.
As we journey together into the coming new administration, we may face trials and tribulations both individually and as a nation. Let us commit together, today, to take that journey with full trust – not in government – but in the One that can truly deliver.
"I've lived, sir, a long time, and the longer I live, the more convincing proofs I see of this truth: That God governs in the affairs of men. If a sparrow cannot fall to the ground without His notice, is it probable that an empire can rise without His aid? We've been assured in the sacred writings that unless the Lord builds the house, they labor in vain who build it. I firmly believe this, and I also believe that without His concurring aid, we shall succeed in this political building no better than the builders of Babel." - Benjamin Franklin: Signer of the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution
