Many battles have been fought and are now history. Our Congress has decided in favor of President Trump and his reconciliation bill and he signed it on the Fourth of July. Yet, congressional dissenters and a small number of citizens decided to protest on the day of our nation’s independence. While such is their right, it (1) is a missed opportunity to celebrate a national holiday and (2) divides our country, with a childish pout.
Like people, nations are always in flux. Politics always has sides and political parties have differences. In 1860, our nation divided, north against south, and we spent four years in a civil war, in which over 620,000 American lives were lost. And after it was over, divisions continued during the reconstruction period. President Abraham Lincoln was assassinated five days after Robert E. Lee’s surrender at Appomattox. When will we ever learn?
On March 30, 1863, President Lincoln issued a proclamation declaring April 30 of that year a National Day of Humiliation, Fasting and Prayer. Lincoln stated: “Whereas, the Senate of the United States devoutly recognizing the Supreme Authority and just Government of Almighty God in all the affairs of men and of nations, has, by a resolution, requested the President to designate and set apart a day for national prayer and humiliation; and Whereas, it is the duty of nations as well as of men to own their dependence upon the overruling power of God, to confess their sins and transgressions in humble sorrow yet with assured hope that genuine repentance will lead to mercy and pardon, and to recognize the sublime truth, announced in the Holy Scriptures and proven by all history, that those nations only are blessed whose God is the Lord.”
The Senate requested President Lincoln to designate a national day of humiliation and recognition of the Supreme Authority whereby all Americans would confess their sins, with assured hope of repentance and mercy that our nation would be restored to its previous peace and prosperity and choicest bounties of Heaven, which had built this country into an independent nation.
On this past Independence Day, President Trump signed into law much of his promised agenda. Will he become intoxicated with his success and too proud to make peace with those who opposed his agenda, or will he humble himself before the people of this country and God, asking for an end to divisive politics and the healing of spirits that have been tried in the fiery crucible of the past eight years?
Such is yet to be seen. It also behooves us as Americans to humble ourselves, praying for our leaders and humbling ourselves before our Almighty, as history bears witness that prayer brings healing and collective resolve in the face of discord. Perhaps now is the time for self-examination, turning our anger and frustrations from one another and political opponents, toward our nation’s prosperity.
The tragedy of the Civil War did not end in the division of our nation, but in reconciliation of the north and south. One nation, under God, with liberty and justice for all.
We can learn from history, that in times of dire need, our nation’s leaders, like Lincoln, have called on the people to humble themselves and pray for God’s help. This could be a time to free ourselves from the slave master of hatred toward others. Oh, we have our likes and dislikes, but to squander a national holiday of Independence, in protest instead of celebration, could be a sign we need to learn the benefits of forgiveness.
Tom Wright is an El Rito Media investor.