God Bless America

Hello Brethren,

Hot dogs, hamburgers, and corn-on-the-cob: an American-style summer meal. That is what our family had for Memorial Day dinner this past Monday. We marked the start of summer in a traditional American way. But summertime in America used to feel a lot different to me. The mood I sense in the country is nothing like the warm, patriotic feeling of the summer holidays I remember growing up. Our nation has changed much in the last fifty years.  

I grew up in the shadow of the World War 2 generation. I learned to love an America that was generous, strong, and a force for good to all peoples. When I was a boy, it seemed that our nation could never be shaken from her place of leadership in the world. But today, everything about America is called into question. Everything about her future seems uncertain.

Memorial Day is about remembering the ones who made the ultimate sacrifice for our country. I am thankful for those who defended our nation and made our way of life possible. But I have often wondered what these who gave their lives for America would think if they could see her today. Would they wonder why they died for what America has become?

There is a Proverb that reads, "Where there is no revelation, the people cast off restraint" (Proverbs 29:18). In other words, where the word of God is not seen or believed, the people will do whatever they want. That describes our nation very well. We are like Israel in the days of the Judges, when "everyone did what was right in his own eyes" (Judges 21:25). Unfortunately, America's enemies will find a way to take her down because of the moral weakness growing within her. But it could be much different. If all our peoples kept the laws of God, there would be no enemy in this world that could overcome us.

God promised Abraham that "in you all the families of the earth shall be blessed" (Genesis 12:3). Those blessings have come down through the ages to America. Today, our nation does not know the true source of its blessings and stands to lose them all. However, a merciful God will one day make Himself known to a people who now cast Him off. Though there is trouble ahead for America, it will not be forever. America's best days are still ahead, under a new government, one that will never fade away.

For the "God of heaven will set up a kingdom which shall never be destroyed...it shall stand forever" (Daniel 2:44). Our peoples will be a part of that kingdom. They will look back on the days of America's trouble and see that God has been true to His promises. Indeed, God sees America as a nation worth dying for. In fact, He did just that to make the blessings of His way of life possible for all. May God still bless America.

Warm regards,

Andy 

Pastor