Quote from a Founding Father: “Our constitution was made only for a moral and religious people. It is wholly unfit for any other” (John Adams).

Questions:

• What standard does the mob go by?
• Do you think the mobs will suddenly lay down their arms if the U.S. government folds?
• Is it possible the mob’s ultimate standard is power?
• If mobs get what they want, what message does that send to the citizenry?

Remember what Solomon asked God for? It’s relevant for us today, too. Here’s the text:

“Give your servant therefore an understanding mind to govern your people, that I may discern between good and evil, for who is able to govern this your great people?” (1 Kings 3:9, ESV).

For what did Solomon ask the Lord?

• Wisdom
• Discernment
• To be able to distinguish good from evil
• To be able to govern wisely

Does this not seem relevant in our day?

I tell my class almost every time we assemble that we flounder when we lack discernment. Why? Because folly and evil then triumph. Wisdom gets banished by the wicked.

But in addition to discernment, we also need courage.

Solomon petitioned the Lord, and the Lord answered him.

Would that we, too, had the discernment and courage of a Solomon in our land today–wisdom from God, a discerning people, and the transcendent unchanging standard by which a moral and Christian people might not only distinguish good from evil, but have the courage to love the good, and thereby govern themselves and their land with sagacity.