If the United States would be a world leader for peace, then we must be a leader for righteousness first. So say many of our great leaders, who learned first-hand that righteousness begets peace, and peace then produces more righteousness.
But they did not discover this truth on their own. God Himself made it clear in His Word when He said, “ … He disciplines us for our good, that we may share His holiness. All discipline for the moment seems not to be joyful, … yet to those who have been trained by it, afterwards, it yields the peaceful fruit of righteousness.”
— Heb.12:10-11.
He also admonishes us with these words: “The seed whose fruit is righteousness is sown in peace by those who make peace.”
— James 3:18.
And His ultimate declaration has been proven throughout history, not only in our own nation, but in a number of others as well: “Righteousness exalts a nation.”
— Prov. 14:34.
“The Bible teaches us that there is no foundation for enduring peace on earth except in righteousness; that it is our duty to suffer for that cause if need be; that we are bound to fight for it if we have the power; and that if God gives us the victory, we must use it for the perpetuation of righteous peace.”
— Henry Van Dyke
“May it be among the dispensations of His providence to bless our beloved country with honors and with length of days. May her ways be ways of pleasantness and all her paths be peace!”
— Martin Van Buren
“The United States fully accepts the profound truth that our own progress, prosperity, and peace are interlocked with the progress, prosperity, and peace of all humanity.”
— Herbert Hoover
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