On this, the bicentennial of the birth of America's greatest president, I submit to you the following (from his second inaugural address in 1865):

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...Neither party expected for the war the magnitude or the duration which it has already attained. Neither anticipated that the cause of the conflict might cease with or even before the conflict itself should cease. Each looked for an easier triumph, and a result less fundamental and astounding. Both read the same Bible and pray to the same God, and each invokes His aid against the other. It may seem strange that any men should dare to ask a just God's assistance in wringing their bread from the sweat of other men's faces, but let us judge not, that we be not judged. The prayers of both could not be answered. That of neither has been answered fully. The Almighty has His own purposes. 'Woe unto the world because of offenses; for it must needs be that offenses come, but woe to that man by whom the offense cometh.' If we shall suppose that American slavery is one of those offenses which, in the providence of God, must needs come, but which, having continued through His appointed time, He now wills to remove, and that He gives to both North and South this terrible war as the woe due to those by whom the offense came, shall we discern therein any departure from those divine attributes which the believers in a living God always ascribe to Him? Fondly do we hope, fervently do we pray, that this mighty scourge of war may speedily pass away. Yet, if God wills that it continue until all the wealth piled by the bondsman's two hundred and fifty years of unrequited toil shall be sunk, and until every drop of blood drawn with the lash shall be paid by another drawn with the sword, as was said three thousand years ago, so still it must be said: "The judgments of the Lord are true and righteous altogether."

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I'm torn. 

You see, on one hand, last night was a gloomy night for America.  Senator (soon-to-be President) Obama's radical position on issues related to abortion (most notably his oft-stated commitment to the Freedom of Choice Act and his opposition to the Born Alive Infants Protection Act) frighten me for the future of life in our country.  With one signature, Obama may wipe away three decades' worth of Pro-Life policies designed to protect the rights of the most helpless, voiceless class of Americans - the unborn.  This is morally reprehensible and personally heartbreaking.  So on behalf of millions of unborn Americans, I am saddened and frustrated.

On the other hand, last night was a terrific night for America.  150 years ago, American society didn't consider black men and women fully human, much less American citizens.  Last night, we elected an African-American man the leader of our nation.  I can't overstate the magnitude of this occasion.  I rejoice with the likes of Abraham Lincoln, Martin Luther King, Jr., and Jesus of Nazareth at this enormous step toward racial harmony.  Racism is an evil paralleled by few others, and last night marked a huge victory for the United States of America in the war against it. 

Senator McCain's concession speech was a model of humility and grace in the midst of fervent contest.  It was classy and elegant and right.  Senator Obama's acceptance speech was solemn, grateful, powerful - in a word, inspiring. 

So you see, in many ways November 4, 2008 was a great day for the United States of America, with many glorious victories.  And yet, these victories are tainted by the ominous reality of the future of millions of unborn Americans.  It falls to Christians across the nation to humbly and wholeheartedly support our President, and at the same time to pray fervently for God to change his heart (and his mind) toward the unborn.

America - I give you my deepest sympathies.

And many congratulations.