I awoke early this morning, thoughts of the inauguration on my mind. I found myself imagining what might be happening at this hour at 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue. If they’ve even been to bed yet, what must it be like to awaken there on this first day…especially for this president, the first black man in power in that White House?

All history-making, tradition and fanfare aside, it begins today: the keeping of promises made, the unfathomable challenges to which he now lays claim. Half the country will awaken this morning infused with fresh hope for a brighter tomorrow, while the other half braces for “change” they do not welcome. The division in that last statement burdens me, but its truth paints the picture of the reality of this age.

Our country is a whole, a body, made up of many parts, and while our new president may represent the “head” of that body, he does not represent the “heart”. Fortunately, that “heart” never changes with the election cycle and is not dependent on popular or electoral vote. The heart of this nation and everyone in it is a holy and sovereign God, upon Whose principles this nation was founded and within Whose Hand its destiny lies. While our opinions may divide us, our unity can be found in the unchanging power and consistency of our Heart Beat.

Psalm 96

1 Sing to the LORD a new song;
sing to the LORD, all the earth.

2 Sing to the LORD, praise his name;
proclaim his salvation day after day.

3 Declare his glory among the nations,
his marvelous deeds among all peoples.

4 For great is the LORD and most worthy of praise;
he is to be feared above all gods.

5 For all the gods of the nations are idols,
but the LORD made the heavens.

6 Splendor and majesty are before him;
strength and glory are in his sanctuary.

7 Ascribe to the LORD, O families of nations,
ascribe to the LORD glory and strength.

8 Ascribe to the LORD the glory due his name;
bring an offering and come into his courts.

9 Worship the LORD in the splendor of his [a] holiness;
tremble before him, all the earth.

10 Say among the nations, “The LORD reigns.”
The world is firmly established, it cannot be moved;
he will judge the peoples with equity.

11 Let the heavens rejoice, let the earth be glad;
let the sea resound, and all that is in it;

12 let the fields be jubilant, and everything in them.
Then all the trees of the forest will sing for joy;

13 they will sing before the LORD, for he comes,
he comes to judge the earth.
He will judge the world in righteousness
and the peoples in his truth.

May we, fervently, this day and all that follow, lift up President Obama; that he would lead with the clarity and wisdom of a sound mind, but that ABOVE ALL, he would FOLLOW THE HEART of our nation.