America Didn't Begin in 1776

[Steve Myers] When did America begin?

Most people would say obviously July 4th, 1776. Now, true. The Declaration of Independence was adopted. The colonies separated from Great Britain. And that's America's birthday. Here we are 250 years later, and it still shapes how America tells its story.

Now, biblically, America's story begins much earlier. Not in Philadelphia, not in 1776, not even with the founding fathers. It reaches all the way back to Genesis.

That's where God made promises to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. Promises of descendants, national greatness, blessing, and influence. Genesis 12:2 says, "I will make you a great nation. I will bless you and make your name great, and you shall be a blessing."

Now that promise continued through Abraham's son Isaac and then through Jacob. Later Jacob passed the birthright blessings to his grandsons Ephraim and Manasseh, the sons of Joseph.

Now Genesis 48 is the key. One grandson was to become a multitude of nations. The other was to become a great single nation. Britain and the Commonwealth nations fit that description of a multitude of nations. While the United States fits that single great nation. So you could say yes, America is in the Bible. It's in Bible prophecy, not by name, but by biblical identity.

The rise of America wasn't an accident. Its resources, strength, power, and prosperity did not come because Americans were better than everyone else. No, God was fulfilling His promises. Now, that should be humbling. It's not about national pride. It doesn't mean America has always been righteous, and it doesn't excuse national sins.

Daniel 2:21 says, "God removes kings and raises up kings." Acts 17:26 says, "He has determined the times and boundaries of nations." You see, America's blessings are from God, and blessings from God always bring responsibility.

So ask yourself, why did God bless America?

Was it so the nation could forget Him, push Him out of the family morality, out of public life, out of life in general? Was it to enjoy freedom and yet reject the God who gave it? No. Blessings should lead to gratitude. Gratitude should lead to obedience. And obedience begins when you ask, "What does God expect of me?"

That's where America stands in danger. A blessed nation that forgets God can't expect to remain under His protection forever. A nation that calls evil good and good evil places itself in spiritual danger.

Deuteronomy 8 gives a warning every blessed nation needs to hear. God told Israel that when they were comfortable, prosperous, and secure, that's when they were in danger of forgetting Him. Prosperous nations trust their strength. They celebrate success and assume blessings will continue. Yet little by little, they forget the One who gave those blessings.

Is that happening today?

I mean, you've seen it. America has enjoyed so many blessings and yet has drifted farther from God's will and way. But this isn't only about America. It's about you. You may not be able to turn the nation around, but you can turn your heart to God.

The question isn't only what has America done with God's blessings. The question is what are you doing with the blessings God has given you? Are you remembering God? Are you seeking Him? Are you proving His truth from the Bible? Are you willing to live by His commandments? Are you placing your hope in the Kingdom of God?

You see, prophecy isn't given to satisfy curiosity. It's given to wake you up. And God reveals the future so that you'll repent. You'll change and prepare for His coming kingdom. You see, America's future doesn't depend on power, politics, or prosperity. It depends on whether people will turn back to God.

Now, your future, well, that depends on whether you will turn to follow Him now. Because beyond America's future, something far greater. It's the return of Jesus Christ and the coming Kingdom of God. That's when He will teach all nations the way of peace, the way of truth and righteousness because He will bring justice. He will remove deception and He will end war and heal what mankind has broken. He will restore what sin has ruined. And He will bring peace. The peace that that no government, no army, no election has ever been able to produce.

Now, that's hope. That's the hope America needs. That's the hope the world needs and the hope that can begin with you - as you turn to God now and seek His kingdom and live by His way.