John 15:5 “I am the vine, ye are the branches; He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing.”
As President-elect Abraham Lincoln was on the verge of leaving his hometown of Springfield, Illinois for Washington DC in 1861, he spoke the following words in what is now known as his Farewell Address:
“My friends — No one, not in my situation, can appreciate my feeling of sadness at this parting. To this place, and the kindness of these people, I owe every thing. Here I have lived a quarter of a century, and have passed from a young to an old man. Here my children have been born, and one is buried. I now leave, not knowing when, or whether ever, I may return, with a task before me greater than that which rested upon Washington. Without the assistance of the Divine Being who ever attended him, I cannot succeed. With that assistance I cannot fail. Trusting in Him who can go with me, and remain with you and be every where for good, let us confidently hope that all will yet be well. To His care commending you, as I hope in your prayers you will commend me, I bid you an affectionate farewell.”
Lincoln’s words from the Springfield Great Western Railroad Depot directly mirror John 15:5. He recognized that with the Lord he would not fail; indeed, with God he would bring forth much fruit. He also recognized that without the Lord he could not succeed; indeed, without God he could do nothing. Lincoln recognized that the same was true for George Washington as well. The same is true for us and for our leaders today.
Specially, the same is true for the 114th Congress that begins their legislative term this week. As they leave their hometowns to converge upon Washington DC, they must heed the Biblical wisdom recited by Lincoln as he began his first term. In order to thrive, they must develop and maintain a constant connection to Christ.
PLEASE PRAY FOR THE 114th CONGRESS TO ABIDE IN CHRIST. After all, our nation needs them to bear much fruit.
