Land Where My Fathers Died

Continuing the theme, celebrating the United States becoming an independent nation...under God, this is the fourth painting of six I did in the 1990's based on the first verse of the song America.

I ask the question here...Can true lasting peace be purchased? Can it be negotiated? Can it be forced by military conquest? Are peace and safety the rights of a nation? Do they have to be fought for or do they just happen?

George Washington said, "To be prepared for war is one of the most effectual means of preserving peace." Abraham Lincoln said, "Let us have faith that right makes might, and in that faith let us to the end dare to do our duty as we understand it." Thomas Jefferson felt that peace and friendship with all mankind is our wisest policy. Theodore Roosevelt more closely approached the truth when he said, "Peace is normally a great good, and normally it coincides with righteousness, but it is righteousness and not peace which should bind the conscience of a nation as it should bind the conscience of an individual; and neither a nation nor an individual can surrender conscience to another's keeping."

Our forefathers, because they abided in the light of Holy Scripture, made many decisions based on its truths that were good for this nation and its people. America prospered because of its strong character as a result of her trust in God. Once again the Scriptures were proven to be true: "You will guard him and keep him in perfect and constant peace whose mind (both its inclination and character) is stayed on Thee...who commits himself to Thee, leans on Thee and hopes confidently in Thee."

Can a nation expect to continue to abide in peace and safety apart from God? Alexander Solzhenitsyn, the great Russian thinker and author, offers the following explanation for the great disasters that have befallen Russia and now the world including the United States: "Men have forgotten God."

Let us heed the voice of wisdom. Let not the sacrifices and blood shed by our fathers be in vain. Will our children dwell in peace and safety as we have? Only if we once again turn back to God can we have that assurance.

"In peace I will both lie down and sleep, for Thou alone, O Lord, dost make me to dwell in safety."