THE PRESIDENT: Thanks for the warm welcome. David, thank you very much for your introduction. Nothing better than being introduced by an old fire chief. And I thank you for your service, Dave. It is such an honor to be here. I was telling Laura on the phone -- she didn't make it, I apologize, and so does she -- but I said I'm going down the hill -- I was up at Camp David -- I'm going down the hill to be with some remarkable people and their families, and to honor those who served. I said, I can't wait to go, and to be in their midst, because I hold the firefighters in such high regard; I have a deep respect in my soul for people who serve our communities.
As David mentioned, far too often we go to sites that have been devastated by natural disaster, for example. Every time the firefighters are there, every time. It's clear that the people here who wear the uniform have a different view of jurisdiction than a lot of our citizens. You know, from New York after 9/11, to New Orleans after Katrina, there were firefighters from around the country there to help. The bond between the firefighters is obviously unique; it is definitely a source of strength. And it's a reminder that the work here is a calling, not a job.
I want to thank the foundation for working hard to ensure that the families of those who have died in -- are well treated. I want to tell you today that the Hometown Heroes Act will be fully implemented. This program will be administrated the way it was intended to be administrated. (Applause.) That's the least we can do as we honor the families of those who have died in the line of service.
I also am amazed at the compassion I see amongst those who wear the uniform for their comrades. Anyway, thanks for having me. I'm sorry it's under these circumstances that we have to be together. I hope our presence can help heal your hearts just a little bit. I'm looking forward to giving you a hug if you want a hug, or smiling for a picture if you want to smile for a picture. But most of all, I'm looking forward to honoring your loved ones.
Psalms 52:1 To the Chief Musician. A Contemplation of David when Doeg the Edomite went and told Saul, and said to him, "David has gone to the house of Ahimelech." Why do you boast in evil, O mighty man? The goodness of God endures continually.
Psalms 52:2 Your tongue devises destruction, Like a sharp razor, working deceitfully.
Psalms 52:3 You love evil more than good, Lying rather than speaking righteousness. Selah
Psalms 52:4 You love all devouring words, You deceitful tongue.
Psalms 52:5 God shall likewise destroy you forever; He shall take you away, and pluck you out of your dwelling place, And uproot you from the land of the living. Selah
Psalms 52:6 The righteous also shall see and fear, And shall laugh at him, saying,
Psalms 52:7 "Here is the man who did not make God his strength, But trusted in the abundance of his riches, And strengthened himself in his wickedness."
Psalms 52:8 But I am like a green olive tree in the house of God; I trust in the mercy of God forever and ever.
Psalms 52:9 I will praise You forever, Because You have done it; And in the presence of Your saints I will wait on Your name, for it is good. (NKJV)
DEAR LORD, WE THANK YOU FOR THIS DAY, THIS HOUR AND THIS SECOND.
LORD, WE THANK YOU FOR THIS TIME YOUR SAINTS CAN GATHER BEFORE YOUR THRONE OF GRACE WITH PRAYER AND SUPPLICATION.
LORD, WE PRAY FOR ALL OF YOUR SAINTS NO MATTER WHERE THEY MAY BE OR WHATEVER THEIR NEED.
LORD, WE PRAY ESPECIALLY FOR GEORGE WALKER BUSH, LAURA BUSH, BARBARA AND JENNA BUSH, THE EXECUTIVE BRANCH AND ALL MEMMBERS OF GOVERNMENT WHO HOLD YOUR TRUTHS CLOSE TO THEIR HEARTS.
LORD, WE PRAY FOR YOUR CONTINUED HAND OF GUIDANCE AND PROTECTION I N EACH ONES LIFE.
LORD, WE PRAY EACH BELIEVER LOCKS INTO THEIR HEART THE FACT THAT YOU ARE GOD AND TOTALLY SOVEREIGN, WE PRAY THEY JUST LET YOU BE YOU AND STOP BOXING IN YOUR EMINENCE.
LORD, WE PRAY ALL CHRISTIAN PATRIOTS CHOOSE THE RIGHTER WRONG AND HAVE A CLEAR UNDERSTANDING OF HOW YOU WOULD LIKE THE BETTER GOOD IN AUTHORITY, NOT VOTE BASED ON SINGLE ISSUES, THOUGH TEMPER THEIR THOUGHTS THROUGH THE FILTER OF YOUR WHOLE WORD.
LORD, WE PRAY FOR THIS COUNTRY, A LAND FORMED ON THE PRINCIPALS YOU GAVE US. WE PRAY FOR A RETURN TO A TIME WHEN THIS LAND WAS BASED ON GOD, DUTY AND HONOR.
LORD, WE PRAY FOR YOUR SOVEREIGN HAND OF PROTECTION AGAINST ALL WHO THREATEN OUR LAND.
WE PRAY THAT THE DECEPTIVE LIES OF POLITICAL DESPOTS AND THE MEDIA WILL FALL ON DEAF EARS AND ONLY YOUR TRUTH WILL BE HEARD.
LORD, WE PRAY FOR ALL OF THE DEFENDERS OF FREEDOM, WHETHER HOME OR IN FOREIGN LANDS.
WE PRAY FOR THEIR SAFETY AND WE PRAY FOR COMFORT FOR THEIR FAMILIES AND WE THANK YOU FOR THEIR STRENGTH AND COURAGE IN STAYING THE COURSE OF RIGHTEOUSNESS.
LORD, WE PRAY FOR THE COMFORT OF THE FAMILIES OF Private Thomas Tucker and Kristian Menchaca.
LORD, WE PRAY YOUR VENGENCE IS SWIFT AND HARSH AGAINST THOSE WHO COMMITTED THESE MURDERS AND ALSO AGAINST THOSE WHO HATE THIS COUNTRY BECAUSE OF ITS CHRISTIAN PRINCIPLES.
LORD, WE PRAY FOR THE PROTECTION OF ISRAEL FROM MUSLIM TERRORISTS.
LORD, WE THANK YOU FOR THE SKILL AND FORTITUDE YOU HAVE GIVEN OUR MILITARY WHICH ENABLES THEM TO TURN EVIL MEN OVER TO YOU FOR ETERNAL JUDGMENT.
Jude 1:24 Now to Him who is able to keep you from stumbling, And to present you faultless Before the presence of His glory with exceeding joy,
Jude 1:25 To God our Savior, Who alone is wise, Be glory and majesty, Dominion and power, Both now and forever. Amen.
"The mercy of God." - Psalm 52:8
Meditate a little on this mercy of the Lord. It is tender mercy. With gentle, loving touch, he healeth the broken in heart, and bindeth up their wounds. He is as gracious in the manner of his mercy as in the matter of it. It is great mercy. There is nothing little in God; his mercy is like himself-it is infinite. You cannot measure it. His mercy is so great that it forgives great sins to great sinners, after great lengths of time, and then gives great favours and great privileges, and raises us up to great enjoyments in the great heaven of the great God. It is undeserved mercy, as indeed all true mercy must be, for deserved mercy is only a misnomer for justice. There was no right on the sinner's part to the kind consideration of the Most High; had the rebel been doomed at once to eternal fire he would have richly merited the doom, and if delivered from wrath, sovereign love alone has found a cause, for there was none in the sinner himself. It is rich mercy. Some things are great, but have little efficacy in them, but this mercy is a cordial to your drooping spirits; a golden ointment to your bleeding wounds; a heavenly bandage to your broken bones; a royal chariot for your weary feet; a bosom of love for your trembling heart. It is manifold mercy. As Bunyan says, "All the flowers in God's garden are double." There is no single mercy. You may think you have but one mercy, but you shall find it to be a whole cluster of mercies. It is abounding mercy. Millions have received it, yet far from its being exhausted; it is as fresh, as full, and as free as ever. It is unfailing mercy. It will never leave thee. If mercy be thy friend, mercy will be with thee in temptation to keep thee from yielding; with thee in trouble to prevent thee from sinking; with thee living to be the light and life of thy countenance; and with thee dying to be the joy of thy soul when earthly comfort is ebbing fast.
C.H.SPURGEON
SOLI DEO GLORIA!
