"I have sinned against heaven and before Thee in thought, word, and deed. I have contemned Thy majesty and holy laws. I have likewise sinned by omitting what I ought to have done and committing what I ought not. I have rebelled against the light, despising Thy mercies and judgment, and broken my vows and promise. I have neglected the better things. My iniquities are multiplied and my sins are very great. I confess them, O Lord, with shame and sorrow, detestation and loathing and desire to be vile in my own eyes as I have rendered myself vile in Thine. I humbly beseech Thee to be merciful to me in the free pardon of my sins for the sake of Thy dear Son and only Savior Jesus Christ who came to call not the righteous, but sinners to repentance. Thou gavest Thy Son to die for me."
George Washington, from a 24 page authentic handwritten manuscript book dated April 21-23, 1752. [1]
Keep in mind George Washington was born in 1732. He wrote this two months after his 20th birthday. Just as we have national "fathers" who left us an inheritance, the Israelite people had "fathers" who inherited a law and a testimony. (Psalm 78:5) They were blessed with the light of the knowledge of GOD, and GOD had done everything to establish them as a holy people (Isaiah 5:3-4). Yet they rebelled! (Jeremiah 6:17) And we, like the Israelite people, have turned away from GOD; we have squandered our inheritance! GOD then speaks to the people in this way:
Jeremiah 6:16 KJV Thus saith the LORD, Stand ye in the ways, and see, and ask for the old paths, where is the good way, and walk therein, and ye shall find rest for your souls. But they said, We will not walk therein.
I share this quote in the hope that it will remind us not to compare ourselves to those around us now. We need to ask for the old paths. We ought to compare ourselves to godly men who have gone before us throughout history, to the Word of GOD, and to Jesus Christ our LORD, who is our perfect example.
[1] William J. Johnson George Washington, the Christian (New York: The Abingdon Press, New York & Cincinnati, 1919), pp. 24-35