“It is impossible to rightly govern a nation without God and the Bible.” – President George Washington

When the righteous are in authority, the people rejoice; But when a wicked man rules, the people groan. (Proverbs 29:2)

What did George Washington mean in his quote above?
What role does religion (or faith) play in politics?
What role does a politician’s religious views play in how he votes or acts?
In God’s eyes, who are the righteous and who are the wicked?

How many times have you heard people say, “Don’t discuss religion or politics because people will disagree” or “Don’t mix religion and politics?” Given Proverbs 29:2 above and knowing the loving nature of Father God, how much sense do those statements make? Is it possible for any politician to separate his religious beliefs from how he votes or acts?

One of my greatest living heros is Dr. James Dobson, founder of Focus on the Family. For more than 30 years, Dr. Dobson has defended the traditional family. My journey to salvation (spiritual rebirth) actually leads through the Focus on the Family website, which led me to the Family Foundation (of Virginia) website, which led me to Rev. Mark Jarvis. Even though I had gone to church almost every week of my entire life, Mark shared the Gospel message in simple terms I could understand. That led me to invite Jesus to be LORD of my life, which dramatically changed the rest of my life.

On June 27, I shared a devotional message titled “Attention Grabbers.” Let me share a recent story of another attention grabber.

At 7:30 am on June 24, I left my car at Walmart to have the tires changed. While I was waiting, Rev. Mark Jarvis picked me up to cut my hair. When we got back to Walmart at 8:15 am, my car still had not been taken into a Walmart bay to be worked on, so Mark invited me into his car to listen to a radio special by Dr. James Dobson. Dr. Dobson was commenting on remarks made by Barack Obama in a public speech called “The Call to Renewal” in 2006.

While I’ve heard several conservative Christian leaders remark that Senator Obama is the most liberal senator in the entire U.S. Senate, I was shocked when I heard the actual statements made by Obama in 2006. It was hard for me to believe this was the same Senator Obama who professed to be a fervent Christian when he and Hillary Clinton were interviewed at the Compassion Forum at Messiah College on April 13, 2008 broadcast live on CNN. Visit today’s Links of the Day and judge for yourself.

The purpose of this devotional is to bless millions of families to be a blessing to millions more. With the Bible as the primary authority of my life, I believe God in Deuteronomy 28 when He says people (and a culture) will be blessed when they follow God’s laws and cursed when they don’t. Put another way, there are consequences to sin (disobedience to God). Just as a good parent disciplines his children for disobedience, so God disciplines His children when they disobey Him.

Prayer Power
Most gracious and merciful heavenly Father, thank You for the privilege of being an American. I didn’t choose that; rather it was a blessing from You. You say in Psalm 33:12, “Blessed is the nation whose God is the LORD.” Father, forgive Your children in America for turning away from You and the Bible to rightly govern our nation. LORD, have mercy on us. Draw us back to You. Heal our land. In Jesus name, we pray. Amen.

Links of the Day
Obama on Religion (Part 1)
Obama on Religion (Part 2)
Obama on Religion (Part 3)

Blessings for the wisdom to vote for the most righteous candidates in future elections!