No one wants our government to tell us what our religious views should be. Our constitution provides that the government will not establish a religious order, while at the same time protecting our freedom to hold and speak out on any religious views we may hold. While it does protect us from religious tyranny and allows for the freedom to exercise nearly any variety of religious practices in the United States, it does not change the truth of the one true religion, that of Jesus Christ.
In a recent Courier Journal article, it was reported that a judge in Kentucky struck down language in a 2006 state law that created the Kentucky Office of Homeland Security. That law acknowledged “the dependence on Almighty God as being vital to the security of the Commonwealth.” An amendment to the law required that a plaque be placed at the state’s Emergency Operations Center in Frankfort, which states "the safety and security of the Commonwealth cannot be achieved apart from reliance upon Almighty God." Ten residents of the state along with the American Atheists Inc. filed suit against the state to have the verbiage removed from the law. A circuit judge ruled that reference violates the U.S. and Kentucky constitutions, which prohibit the government from establishing an official religion. The plaintiffs’ attorney was happy, saying that: “Maybe people will think twice now before trying to impose their religious beliefs in Kentucky.” In the end, these people do not want to acknowledge God as being a vital part in the protection of a people.
Regardless of whether or not they want to rely on God in times of state emergency, they unknowingly rely on the common grace of God for everything. Even know, as they breathe, as their hearts pump blood through their bodies, and as their stomachs are well full with food, they exert great dependence upon the one who created them. Even their ability to file a lawsuit in a Kentucky court was only accomplished by God’s allowance. Psalm 10 states that “the wicked boasts of his heart’s desire; he blesses the greedy and renounces the Lord. The wicked in his proud countenance does not seek God. God is in none of his thoughts. His ways are prospering. Your judgments are far above, out of his sight; as for all his enemies, he sneers at them. He has said in his heart, ‘I shall not be moved. I shall never be in adversity.’ His mouth is full of cursing and deceit and oppression. Under his tongue is trouble and iniquity . . . He has said in his heart, ‘God has forgotten. He hides his face. He will never see.’” Psalm 10:3-11
Oh how so this is! The wicked have no regard for God, and they appear to prosper. Yet they, in their darkness, will come undone when the light of dawn breaks and the Word of the Lord is fulfilled. For now the night grows long, and shadows may seem to hide God’s face, but the light of his son will burst forth as glorious day, and they shall acknowledge Him as King of Kings and Lord of Lords.
The Psalmist cries in verse 12, “Arise, O LORD! O God, lift up Your hand!” His cry is our cry. Legislation and judges have no impact on reality, on the truth. Perhaps state Representative Tom Riner of Louisville sums it up best: "They make the argument ... that it has to do with a religion," Riner said, "and promoting a religion. God is not a religion. God is God."
In a recent Courier Journal article, it was reported that a judge in Kentucky struck down language in a 2006 state law that created the Kentucky Office of Homeland Security. That law acknowledged “the dependence on Almighty God as being vital to the security of the Commonwealth.” An amendment to the law required that a plaque be placed at the state’s Emergency Operations Center in Frankfort, which states "the safety and security of the Commonwealth cannot be achieved apart from reliance upon Almighty God." Ten residents of the state along with the American Atheists Inc. filed suit against the state to have the verbiage removed from the law. A circuit judge ruled that reference violates the U.S. and Kentucky constitutions, which prohibit the government from establishing an official religion. The plaintiffs’ attorney was happy, saying that: “Maybe people will think twice now before trying to impose their religious beliefs in Kentucky.” In the end, these people do not want to acknowledge God as being a vital part in the protection of a people.
Regardless of whether or not they want to rely on God in times of state emergency, they unknowingly rely on the common grace of God for everything. Even know, as they breathe, as their hearts pump blood through their bodies, and as their stomachs are well full with food, they exert great dependence upon the one who created them. Even their ability to file a lawsuit in a Kentucky court was only accomplished by God’s allowance. Psalm 10 states that “the wicked boasts of his heart’s desire; he blesses the greedy and renounces the Lord. The wicked in his proud countenance does not seek God. God is in none of his thoughts. His ways are prospering. Your judgments are far above, out of his sight; as for all his enemies, he sneers at them. He has said in his heart, ‘I shall not be moved. I shall never be in adversity.’ His mouth is full of cursing and deceit and oppression. Under his tongue is trouble and iniquity . . . He has said in his heart, ‘God has forgotten. He hides his face. He will never see.’” Psalm 10:3-11
Oh how so this is! The wicked have no regard for God, and they appear to prosper. Yet they, in their darkness, will come undone when the light of dawn breaks and the Word of the Lord is fulfilled. For now the night grows long, and shadows may seem to hide God’s face, but the light of his son will burst forth as glorious day, and they shall acknowledge Him as King of Kings and Lord of Lords.
The Psalmist cries in verse 12, “Arise, O LORD! O God, lift up Your hand!” His cry is our cry. Legislation and judges have no impact on reality, on the truth. Perhaps state Representative Tom Riner of Louisville sums it up best: "They make the argument ... that it has to do with a religion," Riner said, "and promoting a religion. God is not a religion. God is God."
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