Blessed Is The Nation Whose God Is The Lord

The one true American holiday is the Fourth of July. In a banner of national pride and skies bursting with fireworks, Americans raise the red, white and blue in honor of one of the greatest nations that has ever been established. The day is spent in speeches, picnics, festivals, celebrations of all types and music reminding every heart of the soul of a nation built upon a foundation of others sacrifice - and a nation built upon the foundation of God. How can we escape the idea that our nation was built upon anything less than the blessings of God? "In God We Trust" boldly stands as a symbol of our national pride. The woven thread of the pledge of allegiance is found in "one nation under God."

The founding fathers of this great nation created a world established upon God. George Washington said, "Of all the disposition and habits which lead to political prosperity, Religion and Morality are indispensable supports." (Address, September 19, 1796) Later, Abraham Lincoln wrote, "It is the duty of nations as well as of men to own their dependence upon the overruling power of God." (Proclamation, March 30, 1863) The ruling power of God is found in the word of God to all nations. The apostle Paul proclaimed to the Athenians, "God, who made the world and everything in it, since He is Lord of heaven and earth, does not dwell in temples made with hands. Nor is He worshipped with men's hands, as though He needed anything, since He gives to all life, breath, and all things. And He has made from one blood every nation of men to dwell on all the face of the earth, and has determined their preappointed times and the boundaries of their dwellings, so that they should seek the Lord, in the hope that they might grope for Him and find Him, though He is not far from each one of us; for in Him we live and move and have our being, as also some of your own poets have said, `For we are also His offspring.'" (Acts 17:24-28)

God made the world and He allows each nation to exist by the power of His hand. (Psalm 47:7; 22:28) Governments are established by His authority. (Romans 13:1) Every nation upon earth must seek God for only in God can any nation find hope. Psalm 33:12 says, "Blessed is the nation whose God is the LORD." When a nation rejects God as Lord, they have rejected the very fiber of their existence. "So you shall say to them, `This is a nation that does not obey the voice of the LORD their God nor receive correction. Truth has perished and has been cut off from their mouth." (Jeremiah 7:28)

America can only know the true meaning of freedom when it comes to terms with the reason for its existence. God holds the breath of the nation in His hand. To reject God is to reject the future. Our past is built upon a respect for God and for His word. If the future of this country is to be filled with hope, it must return to the past and learn for today the truths that will mold our character in the future. "In God We Trust" must not be just a motto but a principle to build our country upon. We must reaffirm a deep trust and belief in the Bible as the only guide to help us know God. God has appointed our boundaries and the limits of our habitations. When we, as a people, reject God - we reject hope.

The acknowledgment of God is the truth of God's word revealed to man. The Word of God is infallible. The truth of its message is inerrant. Our celebration of freedom is filled with thanksgiving for yesterday, our promise of tomorrow and our commitment of today to seek God "in the hope that they might grope for Him and find Him, though He is not far from each one of us." (Acts 17:27) God bless America - will America seek God?

By Kent Heaton

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