On November 11, 2011, I published a post called “God Bless America,” where I asked, “Why would God consider blessing America?” I posed the question after attending a baseball game where they sang the song” God Bless America.” Let’s look at this topic again, for it is probably even more relevant today.
If you live in the United States, you probably have heard the song” God Bless America.” Irving Berlin wrote it during World War I. Let’s review the lyrics.
God bless America, land that I love Stand beside her and guide her. Through the night, with the light from above
From the mountains to the prairies To the oceans white with foam God bless America, my home sweet home
God bless America, land that I love Stand beside her and guide her. Through the night, with the light from above
From the mountains to the prairies To the oceans white with foam God bless America, my home sweet home
From the mountains to the prairies To the oceans white with foam God bless America, my home, sweet home. God bless America, my home sweet home.
I want to focus on the following lines:
God bless America, land that I love Stand beside her and guide her. Through the night, with the light from above
In these lines, we are asking for God’s blessing and guidance.
Let’s talk about God’s guidance.
“What have we done with the guidance that God has already given us?
Initially, our forefathers were very faithful in following God’s guidance. For many years, this made the United States the great country it was. The guidance was observed not only because it was God’s word but also because, on an intuitive level, it was the right thing to do.
That guidance is contained in the 66 books that make up the Bible.
His guidance has not changed since He gave it. He told us how to live, what actions would bring His blessing, and what would bring a curse.
In the last few decades, we have abandoned His guidance, and the government has taken specific actions that have purposely chosen to violate His direction. They know and have deliberately and intentionally taken this country in a way that will bring God’s curses.
It is arrogant to ask “God to bless us” when we are not following His guidance.
It would be like if your child willfully broke a rule and then asked you to bless them. What would you say if your son came to you and said, “I know that the rule is that I can’t drink alcohol and drive the family car, but now that I was caught drinking and driving, please bless me?”
What would your blessing for your son be?
That is what the government is doing to God. It is saying,
God, You determined that killing innocent people is wrong. We have decided not to follow your guidance and have passed a law that says we can kill your unborn creation. Or,
God, You determined that marriage is between one woman and one man. We have decided not to follow your guidance and have passed a law that says it is all right for two women or two men to marry. Or,
God, You determine whether we are male or female and then appropriately equip our bodies. We have decided that your male or female determination was incorrect and that we have the legal right to change the work you completed.
After doing all this, we dare to ask God to bless our nation.
How arrogant can our country be?
“Since the United States has made laws contrary to God’s word, what blessing do we expect to receive from God our Father?”
Individuals have final accountability for their actions after death, whether good or bad. Paul tells us in 2 Corinthians 5:10,
For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Messiah so that each one may receive what is due for the things he did while in the body—whether good or bad.
Although individuals have life after death, countries do not.
Therefore, the United States will be held accountable for its actions in the present time. We are experiencing that accountability now. He is showing our responsibility by removing His protection and blessing. One example of that removal happened with the attacks on the World Trade Towers on September 11, 2001.
The removal of God’s protection will continue until we listen to the word of God as given to Soloman concerning the healing of the land of Israel in 2 Chronicles 7:12-14. In context, these directions were given as a warning during the dedication of the new temple in Jerusalem. I think that this warning is essential for our generation.
12 Then Adonai appeared to Solomon at night and said to him: “I have heard your prayer and have chosen this place for Myself for a House of sacrifice.
13 If I shut up heaven that there is no rain, or if I command the locust to devour the land, or if I send pestilence among My people,
14 when My people, over whom My Name is called, humble themselves and pray and seek My face and turn from their evil ways, then I will hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and will heal their land.
Verse 14 tells us precisely what we must do to heal our land. God will heal our land when we humble ourselves, pray, seek God’s face, and turn from our wicked ways. The healing of the land begins with us as individuals. It does not start at the government or political level but with us. Let us, as individuals, start by following this guidance He has given us. Only after following His guidance can we have a country that can stand in His presence and ask for His blessing.
Let’s follow Verse 14 and work to right the wrongs that individuals and groups have done to our country.
