Political rhetoric linking the United States with a divine power emerged on a large scale with the outbreak of the Civil War in 1861. M.R. Watkinson, a Pennsylvania clergyman, encouraged the placement of “In God We Trust” on coins at the war’s outset in order to help the North’s cause. David had this to say, “I will say of the LORD, “He is my refuge and my fortress; MY GOD, IN HIM I WILL TRUST.” (Psa. 91:2)
Though “In God We Trust” was added to coins, it was not added to the increasingly common paper money. In fact, when coins were redesigned late in the 19th century, IT DISAPPEARED from coins as well. Again, let’s hear from David, “Arise, O LORD, DO NOT LET MAN PREVAIL; Let the nations be judged before You. Put them in fear, O LORD; Let the nations know that THEY ARE BUT MEN. Selah.” (Psa. 9:19-20) The 1950s, however, witnessed a dramatic resurgence of religious language in government and politics. It was that decade that brought “In God We Trust” into widespread use. “…those who know Your name will PUT THEIR TRUST IN YOU, For You, O LORD, have not forsaken those who seek You.” (Psa. 9:10)
In 1955, President Dwight Eisenhower signed a bill placing the phrase on ALL AMERICAN CURRENCY. Congressman Charles Bennett, proclaimed, that the U.S. “was founded in a spiritual atmosphere and with A FIRM TRUST IN GOD.” The next year, “In God We Trust” was adopted as the FIRST OFFICIAL MOTTO of the United States. David reminds us why this is important, “The wicked shall be turned into hell, And ALL THE NATIONS that FORGET GOD.” (Psa. 9:17)
In his address to the National Prayer Breakfast on the morning of Feb. 8, President Donald Trump emphasized the centrality of FAITH IN AMERICAN LIFE. After describing the country as a “nation of believers,” Trump reminded his audience that American currency features the phrase “In God We Trust” as does the Pledge of Allegiance. He also declared that “our rights are not given to us by man” but “COME FROM OUR CREATOR.” These remarks come a week after Trump linked religion with American identity in his first State of the Union address. On Jan. 30, he similarly invoked “In God We Trust” while proclaiming an “American way” in which “FAITH AND FAMILY, not government and bureaucracy, are the center of the American life.”
Unfortunately this view is not widely accepted in politics, so President was voted out. Tragically our nation has decided that it is possible for man to build a great nation WITHOUT ASSISTANCE FROM GOD. We can carry on without any help from the Bible, or any petitions in prayer. This is a sure sign of a nation that has FORGOTTEN GOD. “But the LORD shall endure forever; He has prepared His throne for judgment. He shall judge the world in righteousness, And He shall administer judgment for the peoples in uprightness. The LORD also will be a refuge for the oppressed, A refuge in times of trouble. And those who know Your name WILL PUT THEIR TRUST IN YOU; For You, LORD, HAVE NOT FORSAKEN THOSE WHO SEEK YOU.” (Psa. 9:7-10)
-Bill Stockham