God Issues Today: "Looking Over Wall Street"

Author, educator and commentator Dr. James Denison has been pastor of Park Cities Baptist Church in Dallas, Texas since June, 1998. Prior to that, he was pastor at churches in Atlanta, Georgia, as well as Midland (at First Baptist!) and Mansfield, Texas.

"I do solemnly swear that I will faithfully execute the office of President of the United States, and will to the best of my ability, preserve, protect and defend the Constitution of the United States." This is the presidential oath of office, as specified by Article II, Section 1 of the United States Constitution. When Barack Obama repeated these words as intoned by Supreme Court Chief Justice Roberts, he became our nation's 44th president.

Our first president took the oath of office on April 30, 1789, in front of New York City's Federal Hall on a balcony overlooking Wall Street. (Presidents have been looking over Wall Street ever since.) Four years later, George Washington's second Inauguration occurred in Philadelphia, as a permanent capital was still being constructed along the Potomac. His Inaugural address was 135 words, the shortest on record. Thomas Jefferson was the first president to be inaugurated in Washington.

Now our nation observes a truly historic moment as the first African American takes the oath of office. God calls us to pray "for kings and all those in authority" (1 Timothy 2:2). Have you prayed for our new president this morning? Scripture also tells us to "show proper respect to everyone: Love the brotherhood of believers, fear God, honor the king" (1 Peter 2:17). How do we love people, honor authority, but "fear" God alone?

"Love" translates agapao, unconditional commitment. We are to love God's people always, whether we like what they do or not. "Honor" means to respect, encourage, support and follow. We are told to "honor the king" because "the authorities that exist have been established by God" (Romans 13:1). And we are to "fear" God—the word means to revere and dread. It is a present middle imperative, requiring that we reverence God every moment of this day. We can love people even when we do not respect them. We can respect leaders whether we love them or not. But we must revere God always.

Mr. Obama assumes the presidency at a time when our nation is facing crises of unprecedented proportions. We are fighting two wars while dealing with the worst financial conditions since the Great Depression. Radical Islam is on the ascent, and will be the conflict of this generation. There is less moral consensus in our country than ever before. Our president will need our daily intercession for divine direction.

But none of this surprises God. He was King of Kings yesterday, and he will be on his throne tomorrow. Why is that fact so relevant to these days? Let's continue tomorrow.