Omer 2025 Day 12

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Day 12: Lincoln's Sword: The Presidency and the Power of Words by Douglas Wilson
Hod in Gevurah, Glory/Humility in Power

"In the four years that Abraham Lincoln would be president, the American public would gradually discover, much to its collective astonishment, that this unprepossessing Illinois politician had remarkable abilities as a writer."

As you may know, I have a lifelong love for Abraham Lincoln. Growing up in Illinois - "the land of Lincoln" - this is not, perhaps, surprising. But it was not just state pride that drew me to Lincoln. From a young age, I was inspired by him - his love of learning, his sense of justice, his way with words. As someone who struggled to find my own voice, always afraid of being misunderstood or failing to express my thoughts exactly as I wanted, I was in awe of Lincoln's ability to be witty, to be solemn, to be hopeful. He distilled the nation's frustrations and loss, the turmoil, and the promise into powerful and lasting words.

Douglas Wilson was the codirector of the Lincoln Studies Center at Knox College. His scholarship was a large part of my decision to attend Knox, and one of my greatest college regrets was letting my fear of being "that person" stop me from taking advantage of the opportunity to learn with him, or at least get my copy of Lincoln's Sword signed.

Of the many books I've read and loved about Abraham Lincoln, I think this one most clearly demonstrates hod, how both glory and humility played out in the power of Lincoln's presidency and the power of his words.