Greatness of America

For some nine months in late 1831 and early 1832, Alexis de Tocqueville and his friend, Gustave de Beaumont, toured America studying prison reform. They traveled throughout the country talking to people from all walks of life.

So impressed were they with what they saw and heard that when they returned to Paris, Alexis set out to write of his experiences. The result was a two volume set entitled Democracy in America. One quotation from that work stands out. Alexis de Tocqueville wrote: I sought for the greatness and genius of America in her commodious harbors and her ample rivers, and it was not there. I sought in the fertile fields and boundless forest, in her rich mines and vast world commerce, and it was not there. I sought for the greatness and genius of America in her democratic Congress and her matchless Constitution — it was not there. Not until I went into the churches of America and heard her pulpits flame with righteousness did I understand the secret of her genius and power. America is great because America is good, and if America ever ceases to be good, America will cease to be great.

I can’t help but wonder if a Frenchmen visiting churches in America today would come away with a similar appraisal.

God calls His people to righteous living. We are to “live soberly, righteously, and godly” lives (Titus 2:12). The challenge is to “come out from among them [the world] and be ye separate, saith the Lord” (2 Corinthians 6:17). The pulpits of this land should thunder with a call to righteousness. But, instead, a call to compromise is often heard. Pulpits are deafly silent when it comes to sin.

Paul charged Timothy: “Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season, reprove, rebuke, exhort with all longsuffering and doctrine” (2 Timothy 4:2).

What America needs today is a return to old-fashioned Bible preaching.

What America needs is a call to righteousness. Churches and nations which turn their back on righteousness cannot stand long. As Solomon observed, “Righteousness exalteth a nation: but sin is a reproach to any people” (Proverbs 14:34).

Real power resides, not in the president, but in the pulpit when it is aflame with righteousness!

May God help us to recapture that power before it is too late!