Strong Families Build A Strong Nation: AMERICA!

Children are a heritage from the Lord.”
— Psalm 127:1, 3 (ESV)

From the founding of America, many of our nation’s presidents, founders, educators, and Christian leaders recognized a timeless truth: the strength of a nation begins with the strength of its homes. Though they differed politically and denominationally, they shared a common conviction rooted in biblical principles—that marriage, family, faith, and moral character are the foundation of liberty and freedom.

Here are a few favorites:

John Adams: (Founding Father, patriot, diplomat, second U.S. president)

George Washington:(Commander of the Continental Army, first U.S. president)

“Of all the dispositions and habits which lead to political prosperity, religion and morality are indispensable supports.”

Noah Webster: (Educator, dictionary author,)

“The education of youth, the foundation of morals, and the protection of religion are the first and best objects of legislative authority.”

Lyman Beecher:(Presbyterian minister, revival preacher, influential educator.

“The family is the nursery of both the church and the state.”

Abraham Lincoln: (Sixteenth U.S. president, preserved the Union, ended slavery)

“The philosophy of the school room in one generation will be the philosophy of government in the next.”

Charles G. Finney: (Evangelist, revival leader, abolitionist, figure in the Second Great Awakening)

“If the Church will reform the world, she must begin with the children.”

Dwight L. Moody: (Evangelist, Bible teacher, founder of schools,  revival preacher)

“A man ought to live so that everybody knows he is a Christian… and most of all, his family ought to know.”

James A. Garfield: (Civil War general, educator, twentieth U.S. president)

“The richest heritage that any man can leave his children is a good example.”

John Quincy Adams: (Diplomat, sixth U.S. president, congressman)

“Duty is ours; results are God’s.”

Patrick Henry: (patriot, lawyer, orator)

This is all the inheritance I can give my dear family. The religion of Christ will give them; one which will make them rich indeed.”

More than two centuries later, these voices still point us toward God’s design. Strong marriages and secure families. Strong families produce people of character. People of character, in turn, strengthen churches, communities, and nations.

As followers of Christ, our greatest influence will be at our own dinner table, in bedtime prayers, during conversations with our spouse or children , and grandchildren, when no one is watching, or by faithfully modeling character, integrity, and love day after day—so others can catch the power and provision of a personal faith in God.

History reminds us that our nation is built one family at a time. Scripture reminds us that it is God who builds those families.

On this July 4, our 250th year, Dear Lord, stir us to live our faith at home with our spouse, our children, our grandchildren, and to pass that legacy forward as parents, grandparents, or great-grandparents. Amen

Let us put on some red, white and blue and wave a the “stars and stripes” flag and each proclaim:

“But as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord.”
— Joshua 24:15 (NKJV)