The Lord your God is in your midst, a mighty one who will save. – Zephaniah 3:17
America was founded by men and women who recognized that the guiding principle and prayer of this nation has been, and will always be, “In God We Trust.” In fact, the nation’s capital is filled with Christian religious symbols that adorn its buildings and monuments as an abiding evidence of the Lord’s role in American heritage. From the halls of Congress to the monuments and nearly every landmark building, biblical and religious quotations and images are reminders of His true place in America’s birthright and history.
In the House chamber of the U.S. Capitol is the inscription, “In God We Trust.” Above the gallery door stands a marble sculpture of Moses, surrounded by 22 other lawgivers. At the east entrance to the Senate chamber are the words Annuit Coeptis, which is Latin “for he has favored our undertakings.” In the rotunda, there’s an open Bible displaying the words, “the New Testament according to our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.” In the Capitol’s chapel is a stained-glass window depicting George Washington in prayer under the inscription “This Nation Under God.” Engraved on the Washington Monument is the Latin phrase Laus Deo, which means “Praise be to God.” And as you enter the Supreme Court courtroom, the two doors have the Ten Commandments engraved on the lower portion of each door.
During this time when there is a concerted effort to erase the role of Christianity from America’s heritage, pray that national and local leaders recognize His sovereign hand over this nation. Pray also they allow the Holy Spirit to fill their hearts and that the words on those walls become a reality in their lives.
Today’s Verse: Zephaniah 3:17
The Lord your God is in your midst,
a mighty one who will save;
he will rejoice over you with gladness;
he will quiet you by his love;
he will exult over you with loud singing.
All Scripture quotations and audio are from the ESV® Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®), copyright © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
Recommended for further reading: Psalm 25:4-15
4 Make me to know your ways, O Lord;
teach me your paths.
5 Lead me in your truth and teach me,
for you are the God of my salvation;
for you I wait all the day long.
6 Remember your mercy, O Lord, and your steadfast love,
for they have been from of old.
7 Remember not the sins of my youth or my transgressions;
according to your steadfast love remember me,
for the sake of your goodness, O Lord!
8 Good and upright is the Lord;
therefore he instructs sinners in the way.
9 He leads the humble in what is right,
and teaches the humble his way.
10 All the paths of the Lord are steadfast love and faithfulness,
for those who keep his covenant and his testimonies.
11 For your name’s sake, O Lord,
pardon my guilt, for it is great.
12 Who is the man who fears the Lord?
Him will he instruct in the way that he should choose.
13 His soul shall abide in well-being,
and his offspring shall inherit the land.
14 The friendship of the Lord is for those who fear him,
and he makes known to them his covenant.
15 My eyes are ever toward the Lord,
for he will pluck my feet out of the net.
All Scripture quotations and audio are from the ESV® Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®), copyright © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
