We would like to share a topical recent blog post from a GCI writer in the UK, Richard Fowler. Richard's excellent blog can be found at http://www.because.uk.com/?page_id=3125. Here's his post of May 9th:
I wonder what he would have thought about President Trump’s announcement pulling out of the Iran nuclear deal…the man over president Trump’s shoulder, that is?
I don’t know if you have ever looked over the shoulder of world leaders when they are announcing something big? I just happened to see this recently when the president sent diplomatic shockwaves all the way to Tehran. So who was this man over the president’s shoulder?
George Washington…a portrait of him, of course. He was the first President of the United States of America and is called the ‘father of the country’ for his help in establishing the constitution. And what a different America and world we live in compared to 1789 when George Washington was first sworn in as president. But what decision would he have made regarding the Iran deal?
Ironically, although in his Farewell Address in 1796 he talked about his disapproval of the press including their character assassinations, and his more nationalistic approach, cautioning against “permanent alliances with any portion of the foreign world,” it is hard to know what he would have done.
But George Washington did know the key to keeping any nation safe. In fact, safety is one of the current president’s reasons for pulling out the deal. You may have heard president Trump say, as he held up the presidential memorandum that he had just signed, “This will make America much safer.”
This may be true. But ultimately there is only one way to secure the safety and protection of a nation. George Washington put it this way on his Thanksgiving Day proclamation on October 3rd, 1789: “…it is the duty of all nations to acknowledge the providence of Almighty God, to obey His will, to be grateful for His benefits, and humbly to implore His protection and favour…”
As the world gropes in the dark seeking a way forward on this deal that may or may not work, let us pray and turn our hearts to our only safety and protection: God Almighty.