A Presidential Inauguration Wish

Categories: Matthew

What did America’s founding fathers envision happing on inauguration day?

Over a hundred years after they codified what they envisioned, Lord Acton sent a letter to a bishop. He wrote, “power tends to corrupt, and absolute power corrupts absolutely. Great men are almost always bad men.”

Our founding fathers probably would agree with Lord Acton since they structured our United States government, in part, so that no US president could accumulate more and more power without end. So the founders of our country chose a way for presidents, without bloodshed, to be replaced.

In our time, in the spirit of the founder’s wishes, eight years is all that is allowed any US president to hold and accumulate power. That, along with our system of checks and balances, is our way to guard against an accumulation of absolute power and ultimate corruption.

Today, January 20, 2017, we witness a great person of power step out of the White House as another great person steps in to receive the full power allotted to the president by the constitution.

As much power as is transferred to President Donald J. Trump today, Jesus was born with more. The Bible tells us that the Son of God used all of his power to save and to serve. He used it to deny himself for the sake of others (Matthew 2:26-27).

So, what did the founding fathers envision happing on Inauguration Day? Simply that all of the limited power the US Constitution grants to a new president be given.

Here is a biblical wish for our 45th President on his Inauguration Day: with God’s help, may all of the power that has been given to you today be used for the sake of others.

Now that’s something to celebrate!

Author: Toby Larson

Toby Larson leads Celebration International. He is a husband and father of 5. Whether he's teaching, hitting tennis balls, sailing a Hobie, serving in Asia, skiing on water or snow, Toby is passionate about the love of God and the love of life. Read more ...