The President Addresses Congress

It was not a formal State of The Union address, but President Obama did address the Congress and the American people with his 50+ minute speech. The Commander-in-chief touched on nearly every area of American life with his vision of what must be done to improve the state of the nation.

As the American people watched, they likely came down on one side or the other as far as the President's approach and philosophy of governing the nation. But for those who are committed Christians, there should always be another layer. There should come biblical reminders of some spiritual truths, even when analyzing fully secular words or subjects. The Christian’s mind should be so saturated with theological and biblical truth that nearly every conversation can conjure up portions of God’s word or even an opportunity for testifying to the reality of their faith.

For example, speaking of economic issues, the President said, "A day of reckoning has arrived and the time to take charge of our future is here." That phrase might remind some of an eternal day of reckoning – one referred to in Hebrews 9:27. “And as it is appointed for men to die once, but after this the judgment.”

On the health care crisis the new President stated, “Let there be no doubt: Health care reform cannot wait, it must not wait and it will not wait another year.” The urgency in his voice may have been a sobering reminder of something far more urgent and seen in 2 Corinthian 6:2. “Behold, now is the accepted time; behold, now is the day of salvation."

Then Mr. Obama, speaking of a positive change in the economy, said, "Tonight I want every American to know this: we will rebuild, we will recover, and the United States of America will emerge stronger than before." For some that might trigger thoughts of the reality found in 2 Corinthians 5:16-17 where an amazing recovery from the power and penalty of sin is found. ”Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new.”

Speaking about the bailout he said, “Banks that accept government bailout money will be held 'fully accountable' for how they use it." This concept of personal responsibility can be seen in several verses. Philippians 2:12-13 states to the Christian, “Therefore, my beloved, as you have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling.” Then Luke 12:48 also supports the concept. “For everyone to whom much is given, from him much will be required; and to whom much has been committed, of him they will ask the more.”

Then there was this one. “Our goal is to quicken the day when we re-start lending to the American people and American business and end this crisis once and for all.” In 2 Peter 3:11-12 the apostle speaks about ‘ushering’ in a time that will change the world more than any monetary process. “Therefore, since all these things will be dissolved, what manner of persons ought you to be in holy conduct and godliness, looking for and hastening the coming of the day of God.”

Also the word ‘quicken’ is used in the old King James Bible repeatedly in the 119th Psalm – the longest chapter in the Scriptures. Among other things the Psalmist says, “LORD, quicken me according to thy judgment.” (Verse 149) “Great are thy tender mercies, O LORD: quicken me according to thy judgments.” (Verse 156) “Consider how I love thy precepts: quicken me, O LORD, according to thy loving kindness." (Verse 159) And in Psalm 119:33 he writes, “Turn away mine eyes from beholding vanity; and quicken thou me in thy way.”

Serious Christians are to be a biblically oriented people. Most everything in life should be analyzed, compared to, and contrasted with the Bible's spiritual truth - whether it is a speech from a President or a conversation around the office water cooler. And to do that requires a spiritual maturity. It demands a constant and serious ‘quickening’ as enforced three times over in that same 119th Psalm.

“Quicken me, O LORD, according unto thy word.” (Psalm 119: 25, 107, 154)

Bill Breckenridge

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