If Not You, then Who?

Benjamin Franklin addressing the Constitutional Convention on June 28, 1787, was cautioning his fellow founders with these words: “God Governs in the affairs of men. And if a sparrow cannot fall to the ground without His notice, is it probable that an empire can rise without His aid?” May I add to Mr. Franklin’s statement, “is it probable that an empire can remain without His aid?”

Our Founding Fathers had a strong sense of God’s presence in the work they were accomplishing birthing this nation. They reminded themselves frequently of this fact; and yes, maybe it was so none of them would forget. Maybe it was so they reminded each other, they reminded themselves personally in whose service they truly were. But something bad has happened in America, and it didn’t occur overnight or over a few years but over many, many years…decades. Americans lost their desire to cooperate with God, much less trust Him in the affairs of State. When man begins to amass almost God-like and unchecked power over the lives of people all sense of moral restraint is tossed aside. When man sits in seats of power like any elected official regardless of level, and the office holder has control over the mechanisms that shape society, namely government and its many institutions, tyranny is the natural result.

Today the rising tides of apathy, corruption, greed, deceit and gross immorality threaten to overwhelm the bulwarks erected by our founders. We are living through a time when the forces that have despised this experiment in government called America, have mustered massive and sobering forces of evil and darkness to snuff the candlelight of freedom, and render America impotent and finished as we have known her. I pray you are not tired hearing this. You see…it has been because of the principles of freedom and morality from which we were birthed as a nation, and covenant to God, by George Washington in his Inaugural Address as our First President that America has been privileged to be a shining city upon a hill for all to see and some even to emulate. We are an exceptional nation founded on exceptional principles, and these principles were enshrined in our founding documents. If those documents are destroyed, the foundation of our nation is lost. If the foundation is lost the whole structure of America crumbles under the weight of godless tyranny. Please know that the forces of darkness and intense vile hatred are circling working to collapse this exceptional Nation called America.

Be alert my fellow citizens to the wolves prowling, barely restrained and waiting to pounce and devour all who stand in their way. Strangely many across our nation do not see the danger right outside the door or simply do not believe it so. Many prefer to remain “comfortably numb” to the diabolical assaults taking place to collapse America. Our founders knew of these beasts waiting to pounce and devour bringing this experiment of freedom and constrained government to an end. Just as in the day at the formation of the colonies into a young but vibrant new nation, our Forefathers are crying out from their graves via their writings and spoken words, “will you stand and defend this gift given to us called America?” I ask if not you, then who should stand, help sound the alarm to your neighbors and those you meet? If not now…then when?

©2026 Lyle J. Rapacki, Ph.D. All rights reserved.

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