"I now leave, not knowing when, or whether ever, I may return, with a task before me greater than that which rested upon Washington. Without the assistance of the Divine Being who ever attended him, I cannot succeed. With that assistance I cannot fail. Trusting in Him who can go with me, and remain with you, and be everywhere for good, let us confidently hope that all will yet be well. To His care commending you, as I hope in your prayers you will commend me, I bid you an affectionate farewell."
This was the farewell speech that Abraham Lincoln gave to the city of Springfield just before the start of his presidency. Lincoln served as president of this nation at a time when its division was at an all time high. The war in our American history with the highest casualties was the only war that we fought against each other. While we have made great gains in this country, and we have progressed immensely, some of the remnants of those dark times live on.
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After the week that this country had, it's crazy to think that we just celebrated the Fourth of July. It is when I think of this country's history and the challenges that it has overcome, that I am very proud to be an American. I am very proud of the way in which our country has progressed in such a short period of time. I am proud of the way that our country responded to 9/11. I am proud of the six men that selflessly fought for America at Benghazi. I am proud of the way that Lincoln united our nation. And yet, I think of the candidates running for president and I wonder: how did we get here? Why is our nation so divided and chaotic? I am ashamed of what our country has become. I am ashamed of the degradation that has taken place. It has resulted in us being divided, destructive and desperate.
I wonder if a lot of the questions and divisions that were taking place at the time of Lincoln were not much different than the division that we are experiencing now. Much like Lincoln said, the Divine Being is the only assistance that will not fail us. Jesus is the only answer.
We must cry out to Him. We must seek Him. We must pray for unity. We must pray for salvation.
Then and only then will this nation find healing.
If Lincoln could somehow see what was taking place in America today, what would he think? Would he be proud of the country that he once led? Would he feel shame? Lincoln understood that in order to lead the American people, he had to lean on Jesus as his only hope. That hope is our only hope today.
"Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, fixing our eyes on Jesus" -- Hebrews 12:1-2
