November 19, 2019

In the year 1863 on this day, President Abraham Lincoln gave one of the most famous speeches of all time, called the Gettysburg Address. At that time, the US was still in the middle of the Civil War, when the North and South were at war over many things, including slavery. Lincoln had to give a speech at the cemetery at Gettysburg, where over 50,000 American soldiers died. Lincoln managed to deliver a speech which gave hope to the country–and it was only 272 words long. Short, but to the point, and full of meaning.

Four score and seven years ago our fathers brought forth on this continent, a new nation, conceived in Liberty, and dedicated to the proposition that all men are created equal.
Now we are engaged in a great civil war, testing whether that nation, or any nation so conceived and so dedicated, can long endure. We are met on a great battle-field of that war…
But, in a larger sense, we can not dedicate — we can not consecrate — we can not hallow — this ground. The brave men, living and dead, who struggled here, have consecrated it, far above our poor power to add or detract. The world …can never forget what they did here. … that these dead shall not have died in vain — that this nation, under God, shall have a new birth of freedom — and that government of the people, by the people, for the people, shall not perish from the earth.

Abraham Lincoln
November 19, 1863

Notice the word consecrated again? The soldiers were devoted to their country. And what Lincoln wrote, that all men are created equal is something for us to remember today as well. God created us all equal, but unfortunately we don’t act that way. Have you ever thought “why doesn’t that guy get a job?” when you pass a homeless person? All people are loved by God.

Now, in Christ, it doesn’t matter if you are a Jew or a Greek, a slave or free, male or female. You are all the same in Christ Jesus.

Galatians 3:28 (ERV)

Peter began to speak: “I really understand now that God does not consider some people to be better than others. ³⁵ He accepts anyone who worships him and does what is right. It is not important what nation they come from.

Acts 10:34-35 (ERV)

Dear Lord, forgive me for not treating everyone equally. Help me to see everyone as created in your image and worthy of fair treatment, and kindness. Amen.

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