A visitor in Washington once had an appointment to see Abraham Lincoln at five o'clock
in the morning. The gentleman presented himself at a quarter of five in the waiting-room
of the President. He asked the usher if he could see Mr. Lincoln.
"No," he replied. "But I have an engagement to meet him this morning," answered the visitor.
"At what hour?" asked the usher. "At five o'clock." "Well, sir, he will see you at five."
The visitor waited patiently, walking to and fro for a few minutes, when he heard a voice as
if in grave conversation. "Who is talking in the next room?" he asked.
"It is the President, sir," said the usher, who then explained that it was Mr. Lincoln's custom to
spend every morning from four to five reading the Scriptures, and praying.
It was on the morning of February 11, 1861, that the President-elect, together with his family
and a small party of friends, bade adieu to the city of Springfield, which, he was never to
see again. A large throng of Springfield citizens assembled at the railway station to see the departure,
and before the train left Mr. Lincoln addressed them in the following words:
"MY FRIENDS - No one, not in my position, can appreciate the sadness I feel at this parting. To this
people I owe all that I am. Here I have lived more than a quarter of a century - here my children were
born, and here one of them lies buried. I know not how soon I shall see you again. A duty devolves
upon me which is, perhaps, greater than that which has devolved upon any other man since the days
of Washington. He never would have succeeded except by the aid of Divine Providence, upon which
he at all times relied. I feel that I cannot succeed without the same Divine aid which sustained him,
and on the same Almighty Being I place my reliance for support - and I hope you, my friends, will all
pray that I may receive that Divine assistance, without which I cannot succeed, but with which success
is certain. Again I bid you an affectionate farewell."
Proverbs14:33-35 says,
33 Wisdom rests in the heart of him who has understanding,
But what is in the heart of fools is made known.
34 Righteousness exalts a nation,
But sin is a reproach to any people.
35 The king’s favor is toward a wise servant,
But his wrath is against him who causes shame.
This nation was founded by men and women with an understanding. People like Abraham Lincoln,
who spent time in the scriptures, and sought the wisdom of God.
Psalm 33:12 says, "Blessed is the nation whose God is the LORD, The people He has chosen as His
own inheritance.
God is in control of all thing. Spend time in His word and search for His will for you today!
Have a great weekend!
