I form light and create darkness; I make well-being and create calamity; I am the Lord, who does all these things. – Isaiah 45:7
The Founders recognized that the Creator is sovereign over this nation. They established America upon the guiding prayer and principle of “In God We Trust.”
The fourth verse of The Star-Spangled Banner inspired Congress to place “In God We Trust” on the nation’s coins in 1865. The phrase is inscribed in the U.S. House Chamber above the Speaker’s rostrum, above the Senate’s main southern door, on a tribute block inside the Washington Monument, and on a stained-glass window in the U.S. Capitol’s chapel.
President Truman stated in 1949, “When the U.S. was established, the motto was ‘In God We Trust.’ That is still our motto and we still place our firm trust in God.” In 1954, a month after the phrase “under God” was incorporated into the Pledge of Allegiance, Congress enacted a law which put “In God We Trust” on all national coins and currency. In 1956, the phrase was legally adopted by Congress as the United States’ National Motto.
President John F. Kennedy stated in 1961, “The guiding principle of this Nation has been, is now, and ever shall be “In God We Trust.” In his National Day of Prayer Proclamation in 1981, President Ronald Reagan stated, “Our Nation’s motto “In God We Trust” was not chosen lightly. It reflects a basic recognition that there is a divine authority in the universe to which this nation owes homage.”
The Lord is the source of all blessing and judgment. Heaven and Earth are at His command. He sovereignly rules the universe and America. Place your trust in Him today and pray that your national leaders do the same.
Today’s Verse: Isaiah 45:7
I form light and create darkness;
I make well-being and create calamity;
I am the Lord, who does all these things.
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 91
He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High
will abide in the shadow of the Almighty.
2 I will say to the Lord, “My refuge and my fortress,
my God, in whom I trust.”
3 For he will deliver you from the snare of the fowler
and from the deadly pestilence.
4 He will cover you with his pinions,
and under his wings you will find refuge;
his faithfulness is a shield and buckler.
5 You will not fear the terror of the night,
nor the arrow that flies by day,
6 nor the pestilence that stalks in darkness,
nor the destruction that wastes at noonday.
7 A thousand may fall at your side,
ten thousand at your right hand,
but it will not come near you.
8 You will only look with your eyes
and see the recompense of the wicked.
9 Because you have made the Lord your dwelling place—
the Most High, who is my refuge—
10 no evil shall be allowed to befall you,
no plague come near your tent.
11 For he will command his angels concerning you
to guard you in all your ways.
12 On their hands they will bear you up,
lest you strike your foot against a stone.
13 You will tread on the lion and the adder;
the young lion and the serpent you will trample underfoot.
14 “Because he holds fast to me in love, I will deliver him;
I will protect him, because he knows my name.
15 When he calls to me, I will answer him;
I will be with him in trouble;
I will rescue him and honor him.
16 With long life I will satisfy him
and show him my salvation.”
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.
