Lincoln County Valedictorian 2013

Dear Lincoln County Valedictorian 2013,

So first of all congratulations on your achievements.  You graduated top of your class.  That is amazing.  But we both know the issue at hand here. Six kids said they didn't want prayer at their graduation this year. And leaders with their "hands tied" said "okay."

I encourage you do do the right thing.  Remember Daniel.  He, among three other men, were administrators.  But because of his exceptional qualities the king had planned to set him over the whole kingdom. He was first of the class, if you will.  Because of this, the other administrators tried to find fault in Daniel.  After watching him they could find no fault.  He did nothing wrong.  But they noticed he prayed a lot to a God they could not understand or see. So they decided to trick the King into issuing and edict and enforce the decree that anyone who prays to any god or man during the next 30 days, except the king, shall be thrown into the lions den.  When Daniel learned of this the first thing he did was go up to his home and in front of his window, and he knelled in prayer, giving thanks to God just as he had done so many times before.

As a result of this he was thrown into the lions den.  God shut the mouths of the lions and not only that when he came up alive out of that lions den God shut the mouths of everyone else who ever doubted His existence.

You have a decision that only you can make.  This is the first test of this little thing called "life."  God has called you to do something greater than to graduate at the top of your class. God is not bounded by walls.  And He doesn't require us to pray out loud in order to be heard.  He hears the desires of our hearts. 

Whatever you decide to do understand that our God is bigger.  We serve the same God today that shut the mouths of the lions so they would not devour a man who went to his knees to pray when he was told not to.  We serve the same God today that walked around a fiery furnace with Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego and brought them out, without a scratch on them, and shut the mouths of the king. This same God who others have tried to shut out of our schools has walked with you in the halls and protected you and has given you the wisdom to get to where you are today.  And this same God will get you through this too. 

"Do not fret because of evil men or be envious of those who do wrong; for like the grass they will soon wither like green plants they will soon die away. Trust in the Lord and do good; dwell in the land and enjoy safe pasture. Delight yourself in the Lord and he will give you the desires of your heart.  Commit your way to the Lord; trust in him and he will do this: He will make your righteousness shine like the dawn, the justice of your cause like the noonday sun. Be still before the Lord and wait patiently for him; do not fret when men succeed in their ways, when they carry out their wicked schemes.  Refrain from anger and turn from wrath; do not fret- it leads only to evil For evil men will be cut off but those who hope in the Lord will inherit the land."  Psalms 37:1-9

Praying for you and all who have a choice to make here. May God's wisdom rest upon your hearts and your mind and give you the courage to do what is right.  God Bless