Help Wanted – The Uncommon Man

Finally, it is my most fervent prayer to that Almighty Being before whom I now stand, and who has kept us in His hands from the infancy of our Republic to the present day, that He will so overrule all my intentions and actions and inspire the hearts of my fellow-citizens that we may be preserved from dangers of all kinds and continue forever a united and happy people. (Andrew Jackson 1833 Inauguration Speech)

This is the year when Americans will once again devote their time and attention to whom they wish to choose to be president of the United States for four years. I have followed the campaigns of both major parties since 1952 and each time have been in awe of the magnitude of the presidency. And no matter who wins in November, perhaps more than at any other time in the nation’s history will the winner be faced with such immense responsibility. Americans, and all of us who depend upon a strong America, cannot possibly be anything but disconcerted over what has taken place since the turn of the century. Wars have sapped the strength of the nation; deficits are soaring; the once predictable economic engine has plummeted, debt is stifling, crime and violence are on the upsurge, world opinion is at a low ebb and some fifty million Americans are below the poverty level, with millions more set to lose their homes as time passes. Some will say that this sorry state of affairs has gradually evolved since early in the twentieth century but now is exacerbated by world conditions, including the European experiment; that could well be on the verge of collapse. One can only wonder where America and other Israel nations would be if they had kept the Lord Jesus Christ and the Laws of God as the centerpiece of their nations?

Now, it will take uncommon strength on the part of the American president to put Humpty Dumpty together again. If we look back to great American presidents, like Washington, Jackson and Eisenhower, they possessed distinguished military careers, yet, on the other hand, Lincoln and Roosevelt were great wartime leaders and neither came from a military background. So, there has to be something more that is the main ingredient of a great leader. A business background is a wonderful ingredient, because to get out of the dilemma in which America finds itself is going to require a bold new approach to the nation’s financial position. Knowledge of Washington is also beneficial, as it will be necessary to bring all the components together to get behind the right approach.

Yet, it seems to me that the right president will all come down to qualities and character and whether they are guided by their own sense of purpose or by the Lord God Almighty. It is God who made the western nations great and it is God who is hiding His face from us now, because, as Moses wrote, we have become, “a perverse and crooked generation”.

President Truman

You know, a great American president, Harry S. Truman, knew the secret of greatness and in an inspiring speech at Washington on April 3rd, 1951; he shared the reason for America’s great standing in the world, when he said:

“I do not think that anyone can study the history of this nation of ours without becoming convinced that Divine providence has played a great part in it. I have the feeling that God has created us and brought us to our present position of power and strength for some great purpose. It is not given to us now to know fully what that purpose is. But I think we may be sure of one thing …. It is given to us to defend the spiritual values—the moral code—against the vast forces of evil that seek to destroy them. This is a hard task. It is not one that we have asked for. At times we would like to lay it down. But we need not be afraid if we have faith”

Obviously, some subsequent presidents have, as Truman wrote, laid it down. The result is what America is faced with today.

President Jackson

I began this article with a quote from one of the truly great presidents of America, Andrew Jackson. So, I would like to end this article by quoting more words from a Jackson address, spoken over a century and a half ago. Readers, as you read the quote, ask yourselves, “Does the scene seem familiar.” Remember the greatness of this man was his type of character, courage and love of God, that is so needed in the leaders of our Israel nations today. Jackson, born in a backwoods settlement in the Carolina’s, educated himself and became an outstanding lawyer, a man of wealth and a war hero. As a major general in the War of 1812, he defeated the British at New Orleans and instantly became a national hero. Yet, his greatest victory came in his presidency when he overcame the awesome power of the money interests and killed the Second Bank of the United States, a private corporation that was rapidly impoverishing the American people. As a consequence, by the time he left office, his nation was debt-free. Read carefully his words.

“The time at which I stand before you is full of interest. The eyes of all nations are fixed on our Republic. The event of the existing crisis will be decisive in the opinion of mankind of the practicability of our federal system of government. Great is the stake placed in our hands; great is the responsibility which must rest upon the people of the United States. Let us realize the importance of the attitude in which we stand before the world. Let us exercise forbearance and firmness. Let us extricate our country from the dangers which surround it and learn wisdom from the lessons they inculcate.”

There are many dangers that surround America today and a president like Jackson is needed as never before; to act as representative of the common man; to demonstrate conviction, courage and commitment to the best interests of the nation. Above all, to be guided by the greatest power of all, the Lord God Almighty.

If whoever is president will adopt these qualities and let God show the way, no difficulty will be too great to overcome.