God Bless America

May 4, 2011

In the wake of the national and international response to the death of Osama Bin Laden, I had to slow down my normal pace of life, just so I could reflect on just why it is that I even have the freedoms in my life.  Many times we forget that the comforts we enjoy in the United States of America have not come without a price. Most of the time we don’t even realize what a gift it is to freely go to church on Sundays and worship the God of all creation; the only God that knows the end from the beginning (Isaiah 46:10).  Yet in countries around the world, most notably in the Middle East, it seems we hear stories each and every day where Christian churches were bombed, congregations were subject to mass slaughter, Christians are taken hostage, and so on. It’s a routine occurrence.

Those stories make me proud to be an American that much more.  America is the one that’s called upon first when disaster hits any part of the globe. America is the one who is expected to be the rescuer to defenseless nations. This land is where our many haters would relish the opportunity to live. We that live here cannot fully fathom the magnitude of the gift that is, our freedom.

There are many reasons for our blessings. Godly men many years ago signed the Declaration of Independence. “In God we trust” was a phrase that was speckled all over our governmental system.  Even in our pledge we say, “One nation under God.” Even though many of our leaders today spend more time appeasing Atheists and Non-Christian religions, we were still founded as a nation under God. The bible says in Psalm 33:12,

“Blessed is the nation whose God is the Lord, the people he chose for His inheritance.” (NIV)

Although America accounts for about 5 percent of the world’s population, it accounts for 75% of the world’s missionaries, money and material aid (Source: “What in the World’s Going On”, David Jeremiah, copyright 2008, page 122). God has blessed America because America’s Christians have spread the gospel message across the globe through missions.

It was the final vote of US President Harry S. Truman that led Israel to become a nation again May 14, 1948. America has been Israel’s biggest ally in the Middle East. America has enabled this small nation that’s about the size of New Jersey to be feared and protected because of its own military might.  God’s Word has made it clear that anyone that blesses Israel will in turn be blessed:

Genesis 12: 3

“I will bless those who bless you, and whoever curses you I will curse; and all peoples on earth will be blessed through you.”

No we’re not perfect here in America. With the magnificent freedoms we enjoy, many choose not so serve God. God gives us free will and does not force anyone to serve Him. That’s how much He loves us. Although our support of Israel is not as outspoken and strong as it once was, America still supports Israel. Lets pray we always do! The light of Christianity still shines bright in America, even though there have been countless detractors who have pushed God out of our schools and government.

Our political leaders will never say it publicly because of political correctness, but each time we’re forced to defend our nation, or come to the defense of other nations, we are looked upon as the Christian nation from the West. That’s a banner I pray will always be tagged to our country.

Many have celebrated the death of Osama Bin Laden much like King David celebrated each time God gave him victories over his adversaries. Over the past couple of days I’ve read and heard many Christians debating whether or not that’s the best reaction to have. I have no desire to get into that debate. I believe one thing that we all can agree upon as Believers in Christ is that we should pray for anyone who has not had the Truth revealed to them. Lets pray that our adversaries come to know the Truth about Jesus Christ, and we certainly should be praying for our governmental leaders as well. Both are Biblical principals that I challenge us all to make part of our daily prayers. If you’ve not been praying for your enemies and leaders, why not start today? Now more than ever, our leaders need the wisdom of God spoken into their lives.

Thanks to the brave men and women who have paid the ultimate sacrifice through the years to secure the freedom to worship the God of Abraham, Jacob, and Isaac; The God who was, who is, and who is to come. Thanks to the CIA and the team of Navy Seals who risked their lives to further ensure the safety of many just a couple of days ago. Thanks to all the armed forces that secure our freedoms each and every day they are in uniform.  May God continue to bless America!

 

Shane Bowers