A righteous man knows the rights of the poor. – Proverbs 29:7
The National Monument to the Forefathers in Plymouth, Massachusetts is often described as the largest solid granite monument in the world. It was built “in honor of those 102 brave souls who boarded the Mayflower with hopes for a better life in the New World.” The largest and most prominent figure on the monument is the Faith statue. The four figures surrounding Faith bear the names Liberty, Law, Education, and Morality.
The monument bears a dedication on its northeast side that reads: “Erected by a grateful people in remembrance of their labors, sacrifices, and sufferings for the cause of civil and religious liberty.”
The Mayflower Compact, their initial governing document, clearly stated what they had undertaken was for “the glory of God and the advancement of the Christian faith.” The agreement called for the Pilgrims to come together under a “civil body politic” that would be governed by “just and equal laws, ordinances, actives, constitutions and offices, from time to time, as shall be thought most…convenient for the general good of the colony; under which we promise all due submission and obedience.”
Many historians have referred to the Mayflower Compact as the foundation of the U.S. Constitution written more than 150 years later. And now, without the Bill of Rights, basic human rights such as freedom of religion and speech, the freedom to assemble and to petition, the right to a free press, and the right to keep and bear arms could easily be taken away.
Thank God for these priceless gifts that allow you to live in a free country. Pray that your elected leaders would fight to uphold them every day.
Today’s Verse: Proverbs 29:7
A righteous man knows the rights of the poor;
a wicked man does not understand such knowledge.
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: Matthew 5:1-12
Seeing the crowds, he went up on the mountain, and when he sat down, his disciples came to him.
2 And he opened his mouth and taught them, saying:
3 “Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
4 “Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted.
5 “Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth.
6 “Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be satisfied.
7 “Blessed are the merciful, for they shall receive mercy.
8 “Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God.
9 “Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God.
10 “Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
11 “Blessed are you when others revile you and persecute you and utter all kinds of evil against you falsely on my account. 12 Rejoice and be glad, for your reward is great in heaven, for so they persecuted the prophets who were before you.
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.
