On Sunday our pastor encouraged our church body to watch the inauguration events today- which I agree, everyone should if he is able. This is a historic day in our nation. He also challenged us to say a small prayer each time that we heard the name Barack Obama (which should be quite often :) We were encouraged to pray for our nation, our new president, Rick Warren as he prays for our nation, and the lost souls around us. I decided to take up this challenge (as much as is possible with a needy 4 week old baby :)
Inauguration ceremony:
Runs from 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. ET. Program is as follows:
Call to order and welcoming remarks — Dianne Feinstein.
Invocation — Pastor Rick Warren.
Musical selection — Aretha Franklin.
Oath of office administered to vice-president-elect Joe Biden.
Musical selection — John Williams, featuring Itzhak Perlman, Yo-Yo Ma, Gabriela Montero, Anthony McGill.
Oath of office administered to president-elect Barack Obama by Chief Justice John Roberts.
Inaugural address.
Poem — Elizabeth Alexander.
Benediction — Rev. Joseph E. Lowery.
National anthem.
I have also recently been thinking about Romans 13 in light of the friendly transition of powers in our nation. I am encouraged that God is sovereign, and that he has established Barack Obama's authority over our nation. I choose to respect, honor, show thanks, and pray for that authority. He will need much wisdom and strength in the days ahead.
Rom. 13:1 Everyone must submit himself to the governing authorities, for there is no authority except that which God has established. The authorities that exist have been established by God. 2 Consequently, he who rebels against the authority is rebelling against what God has instituted, and those who do so will bring judgment on themselves.
Rom. 13:6 This is also why you pay taxes, for the authorities are God’s servants, who give their full time to governing. 7 Give everyone what you owe him: If you owe taxes, pay taxes; if revenue, then revenue; if respect, then respect; if honor, then honor.
