Emphasis Preaching Journal

The United States Constitution is not a religious document but a political treatise assuring that the people will be justly governed and human rights protected. In the sweltering summer of 1787 in Philadelphia's Independence Hall, 55 delegates convened for the Constitutional Convention. Among them, the Bible was seldom sought. What was prominent in composing the Constitution were the Articles of Confederation, to protect us from a weak central government; all state constitutions, allowing the best sections of each to be incorporated; the writings of French philosophers, noted for extolling human rights; all British law, preventing any possible instillation of a monarchy; British Common Law, which protected individual freedoms. Yet God was very much present among the proceedings. Constitutional historian Catherine Bowen wrote that religion was not discussed but "there sat no delegate whose ideas of government or political philosophy were not profoundly influenced by his religious beliefs and training."

Application: Just as the Constitution sets forth the laws of our nation, the Ten Commandments set forth the laws of God. In both cases the spirit of the Lord was very much present.