“But now they desire a better, that is, a heavenly country. Therefore God is not ashamed to be called their God, for He has prepared a city for them.” Hebrews 11:16
The crowd gathered around Federal Hall inNew York City. Heads were held high, all eyes focused on the balcony in expectation. Applause filled the streets as the doors opened and a group of men marched out onto the balcony.
It had been twelve years since the Declaration of Independence had been signed. Twelve years of fighting for their freedom, of blood-shed, of tears, of pain. Finally, a new nation was formed, a new people, a place of God’s blessing. It was time to inaugurate their first president.
George Washington placed his hand on the Holy Bible. He took a deep breath – God’s Word, God’s divine law and letters of love to His people. On this day, April 30, 1789, God would honor him as the first president of theUnited States of America. “God, may I honor you in this office,” he prayed silently as he took the oath of office.
Applause thundered from below the balcony as he completed the oath. Church bells rang throughout the city. “Please, God, let me honor You…” one final plea before turning back through the doors of Federal Hall to address Congress.
“Such being the impressions under which I have, in obedience to the public summons, repaired to the present station, it would be peculiarly improper to omit, in this first official act, my fervent supplications to that Almighty Being who rules over the universe,” he began, his eyes scanning the room and resting briefly on each face.
The room remained silent, each member of congress holding their breath in reverence. Surely the Spirit God was present that day as Washington continued, “…In tendering this homage to the Great Author of every public and private good, I assure myself that it expresses your sentiments not less than my own; nor those of my fellow-citizens at large, less than either. No people can be bound to acknowledge and adore the Invisible Hand which conducts the affairs of men more than the people of theUnited States..” His voice was strong, unwavering.
He paused. His voice grew softer, somewhat remorseful. “We ought to be no less persuaded that the propitious smiles of Heaven can never be expected on a nation that disregards the eternal rules of order and right which Heaven itself has ordained; and since the preservation of sacred fire of liberty and the destiny of the republican model of government are justly considered as deeply, perhaps finally, staked of the experiment…”
He closed his eyes and shook his head. “God, please. Let them understand the seriousness of what I’ve said. Don’t ever let our nation turn from you,” he prayed silently before completing his address.
Applause rang throughout the room as President Washington spoke the final words of his speech and called all in attendance to worship with him in the nearby church. It was a call to prayer, a call to place this great new nation in the hands of God.
God must be honored. By His hand our nation has been formed. By His hand alone will our nation stand strong. To Him belongs the honor and glory.
“Righteousness exalts a nation, but sin is a reproach to any people.” Proverbs 14:34
“But if they do not obey, I will utterly pluck up and destroy that nation,” says the Lord. Jeremiah 12:17
George Washington’s Inaugural Address can be read in its entirety at: http://www.ushistory.org/valleyforge/washington/inaugural.html
