God Issues Today: "To Err is Human"

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.

Millions of us watched the presidential inauguration on Tuesday, where Barack Obama and Chief Justice John Roberts struggled through the oath of office. This morning's Associated Press is reporting that Chief Justice Roberts delivered the oath to President Obama again last night at the White House — a rare do-over.

The White House assures us that Mr. Obama has been president since noon on Inauguration Day. Nonetheless, the two repeated the oath out of what White House counsel Greg Craig called "an abundance of caution." They did so in the White House Map Room in front of a small group of reporters. Only a few of Obama's closest aides were present, with a White House photographer.

Roberts put on his black robe and asked, "Are you ready to take the oath?" "Yes, I am," Obama said. "And we're going to do it very slowly." Roberts then led the president through the oath without missteps. Constitutional experts have said that a do-over probably wasn't necessary, but Mr. Obama wanted to be sure. Calvin Coolidge and Chester A. Arthur also repeated the oath because of similar issues.

"To err is human," Alexander Pope assured us. Even a president and a chief justice can make mistakes. The King of Kings, however, always keeps every promise perfectly. Yesterday we began surveying these promises, learning why he should be the president of our souls. Consider two more promises today.

First, do you need peace of mind? "Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus" (Philippians 4:6-7). Second, are you wondering if God will hear your prayers? "Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives; he who seeks finds; and to him who knocks, the door will be opened" (Matthew 7:7-8).

Jesus Christ changed history when he entered the human race twenty centuries ago. He is ready to change your life today. If you will ask him to forgive your mistakes and turn your life over to him as your Lord, he will make you the child of God. You will live in his presence every day on earth (Matthew 28:20) and live forever with him in heaven (John 3:16). If he were president of your soul this morning, what would change about your life today? This is an election only you can decide. Vote wisely.