A Closer Walk

Since Abraham Lincoln was born on February 12, let's discuss him in this column.
"And having thus chosen our course, without guile, and with pure purpose, let us renew our trust in God, and go forward without fear, and with manly hearts," Abraham Lincoln, message to Congress, July 4, 1861. Mr. Lincoln was elected president on November 4, 1860 and inaugurated on March 4, 1861. This occurred during very tumultuous times in our country. Between his election and his inauguration, South Carolina, Florida, Mississippi, Alabama, Georgia, Louisiana, and Texas succeeded from the Union. By the time he was actually sworn into office the Union was already smaller and the Confederate States were wholly aligned against him. Virginia, Arkansas, Tennessee, and North Carolina seceded and joined the Confederate States after Mr. Lincoln took office. Additionally, Kentucky and Missouri had approved Declarations of Secession and had full representation in the Confederate Congress during the Union occupation of their states. What a time to be President.
In his message to Congress on July 4, 1861, President Lincoln stated, “And having thus chosen our course, without guile, and with pure purpose, let us renew our trust in God, and go forward without fear, and with manly hearts.” “...having thus chosen our course without guile...” Merriam-Webster defines guile as, “deceitful cunning.” Synonyms: craftiness, deviousness. “...and with pure purpose...” Merriam-Webster defines pure as, “free from what vitiates, weakens, or pollutes; containing nothing that does not properly belong; free from moral fault or guilt.” So President Lincoln is stating that in choosing their course there was no deceitfulness or craftiness or deviousness. In other words, no intention of misleading anyone. He further proclaimed that their purpose was pure. Said another way, their purpose was undefiled, unpolluted, and free from moral fault or guilt.
“...renew our trust in God...” Had Mr. Lincoln lost his trust in God? I can't speak for him, but my guess is that was highly unlikely. So why would that trust need to be renewed? Look at it this way. A rechargeable battery doesn't need to be completely dead before you recharge it. A gas tank doesn't need to be fully empty before you refill it. In the same way then, our trust in God does not have to be completely exhausted before we renew it. By the way, even if our trust in God is completely and totally exhausted, which is unlikely, our Lord is never exhausted and never reaches a point where He just can't go on. President Lincoln trusted our God, and so should we.
“And Jesus came up to them and spoke to them, saying, 'All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth...and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age,'” Matthew 28:16 and 20 NASB. “...I will never desert you, nor will I ever forsake you,” Hebrews 13:5 NASB. “...Just as I have been with Moses, I will be with you; I will not fail you or forsake you...Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous! Do not tremble or be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you, wherever you go,” Joshua 1:5 and 9 NASB. “And I will ask the Father, and He will give you another Helper, that He may be with you forever; that is the Spirit of truth...but you know Him because He abides with you, and will be in you,” John 14:16-17 NASB.
Just like President Lincoln, “My help comes from the Lord, who made heaven and earth. He will not allow your foot to slip; He who keeps you will not slumber. Behold, He who keeps Israel will neither slumber nor sleep. The Lord is your keeper; the Lord is your shade on your right hand. The sun will not smite you by day, Nor the moon by night. The Lord will protect you from all evil; He will keep your soul. The Lord will guard your going out and your coming in For this time forth and forever,” Psalm 121:2-8 NASB. Amen, Amen, Amen!