"I Tremble For My Country"
Thomas Jefferson wrote the Declaration of Independence, served in the Second Continental Congress, served as Secretary of State under George Washington, and as Vice President under John Adams. He was elected as our third and fourth President and served from 1801 to 1809.
Having national liberty means being free from undue or unjust government control. Thomas Jefferson recognized that people's liberties in a nation come from God who gave mankind a free will. He wrote that when we, as a nation, that our freedom comes from God, we begin abusing liberty and deprive others of liberty. In his 1784 book, Notes on Virginia, Jefferson wrote the following against slavery:
"And can the liberties of a nation be thought secure when we have removed their only firm basis, a conviction in the minds of the people that they are of the gifts of God? That they are not to be violated but with his wrath? Indeed I tremble for my country when I reflect that God is just; that his justice cannot sleep forever..."
Bible verses to read:
"And I will walk at liberty, for I seek Your precepts." - Psalms 119:45
"Bless the Lord, O my soul, and forget not all His benefits..." - Psalm 103:2
Discussion questions:
- What does it mean for a nation to have liberty?
- What is an example of liberty that you have in your life?
- Why is it important that our liberties ultimately come from God rather than man?
- Look up the word "licentious" in the dictionary. How is it similar to liberty and how is it different?