US President Barack Obama delivered a potent inaugural speech on January 21, 2009 that kept the more than 1 million people at the National Mall in Washington DC silent and reflective. America’s first black president warmed the hearts and minds of the rainbow of ethnicities present on a cold Tuesday as the United States struggles out of the pit of a pointless war, a tattered economy and grappling foreign relations.
“That we are in the midst of crisis is now well understood," the 47-year old president said, "Our nation is at war, against a far-reaching network of violence and hatred. Our economy is badly weakened, a consequence of greed and irresponsibility on the part of some, but also our collective failure to make hard choices and prepare the nation for a new age.”
He called on his constituents to choose "hope over fear, unity of purpose over conflict and discord" to overcome the enormous problems that they faced as he declared, "Starting today, we must pick ourselves up, dust ourselves off and begin the work of remaking America."
As he reminded America of the old values that built the nation: hard work, honesty and fair play, tolerance, loyalty and patriotism, he made repeated references to God as he summoned his people to give their “all to a difficult task." Obama’s prayer within his speech acknowledging the Almighty and seeking help from Him who is above all is perfectly right. “The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom, and the knowledge of the Holy One is insight.” (Proverbs 9:10) As he did so at the end of his oath with the words: “So help me God”. For one who seeks God’s help shall find. "You will seek Me and find Me when you seek Me with all your heart. I will be found by you." (Jer. 29:13-14a).
To President Obama, I dedicate the song, New Beginning, that I recently composed: Refrain: Welcome to a new beginning/Life is truly worth living/The past is over and gone/Today, there’s much to be done//Verse 1 Now is the time/To do what we’re meant for/It may seem a long and difficult climb/But we can actually soar/With the Lord at our side/It’ll be a great and wonderful ride//Repeat Refrain
by Mel Libre
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