Gather • Devotion 3

Jedidiah Morse (1761-1826) is known as the father of American geography. He was a Pastor, instructor at a school for young women, and rebutted views against Native American people. He stood up for all people. People may ask why he was willing to stand up for the overlooked. I think it was because of his faith.

Morse said, “Whenever the pillars of Christianity shall be overthrown, our present form of government, and all blessings that flow from them, must fall with them.” He knew that Christianity was not a religion it was a lifestyle. It should affect our thinking and actions. As an early influencer in the infancy of our country, he understood that the United States was one nation under God. Without Him, our country would (and is and will) fall apart. 

Instead of saying, “God bless America” (He definitely has), I think it is time for us to say (and do), “America bless God.”

America was founded on Christian principles. Did you know how the United States Constitution arrived at the concept for three branches of government?

First of all, we need to realize that the United States has three branches of government: the executive, the legislative, and the judicial. Each of these branches has a distinct and essential role in the function of the government, and they were established in Articles 1 (legislative), 2 (executive), and 3 (judicial) of the United States Constitution.

How did the early fathers come up with the idea of three branches of government?

Isaiah 33:22 says, “For the Lord is our judge; the Lord is our lawgiver; the Lord is our king; he will save us.”  Did you catch it? 

“For the Lord is our Judge (we have a judicial branch), the Lord is our Lawgiver (we have a legislative branch), the Lord is our King (we have a “ruling” branch, our executive branch). I cannot stop there, He will save us.”  

Our founding fathers studied the Bible, applied it to their lives, and even applied it to our lives. God’s Word is timeless. Isaiah was applicable in 700 BC, 1776 AD, and 2021 AD.