One Nation Under God

It is July 4th weekend!  Time for cookouts, watermelon, fireworks and family! (Hopefully, it isn't being with family that causes the fireworks!) Seriously though,  it is a time beloved by Americans as we remember those who gave their lives for our freedom and we reflect on the greatest of our country. 

As I look at the fireworks, I am always reminded of "The rockets red glare, the bombs bursting in air" in remembrance of that night when our Flag was still there and America became a free country.  It brings me to tears every time, and I am so thankful to an American. 

America is a special country. What is it that makes our country special?

Immigrants have come here from around the world in pursuit of the "American Dream."  They came for one reason only.....FREEDOM.  Freedom is what makes our country special.  The hope of achieving whatever dream God has placed inside of us.  One can only pursue a dream when one has freedom to do so. 

Our Declaration of Independence states that "we our endowed by our Creator with certain inalienable rights, that among those are Life, Liberty, and the Pursuit of Happiness."   From our founding, America has recognized the role our God has in our lives.  It is the Lord our God who gives us freedom.  If you look around the world at other countries who do not recognize God, in those countries, freedom is dramatically absent or greatly hindered. 

The more God is removed from a country, the less and less "free" that country becomes.  It grieves my spirit and it grieves the Lord.  It is His desire for all to know Him and believe Him, and it is His desire for all His Children to be free. 

A couple weeks back, NBC made a grave error when they decided to omit the words, "One Nation Under God." from the Pledge of Allegiance in a commercial during the U.S. Open.  They tried to cover it saying it was an honest mistake.  However, people have been trying to remove God from our country in increments for 50 years and I am not so sure it was just an oversight. 

Consequently, the American people took a stand and I was so proud of the American people.  The American People stood up that day and said, "NO!" Americans were outraged and we let NBC know it!  NBC apologized for their misjudgement.

America has always recognized God's role in a nation's success.  America has always been "One Nation Under God."  I pray that we always will be "One Nation Under God, for the day that America ceases to recognize God in our nation, is the day our nation will cease to be great. 

Blessed is the nation whose God is the Lord.  Psalms 33:12

We, as America, have made many errors and we have grieved the Spirit of the Lord with many of our decisions.  When we elect godless people to represent us, they make decisions that take us further and further away from the Lord as a country.  We need to be on our knees in prayer for our country.  It is our duty as Christians and Americans. 

If My People who are called by My name will humble themselves, and pray and seek My face, and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin and heal their land.  2 Chronicles 7:14

Thankfully, America is still "One Nation Under God" and I believe it pleased the Lord to see His people stand up for Him a couple weeks ago.  However, our country is sick and infested with sin and we see the consequences of godlessness.  Our nation needs to seek the Lord's face, turn from its sin, and it needs healing.  This weekend as we celebrate our freedom, our liberties, let's remember the One who gave us that freedom and pray for our nation. 

If you can, take a moment now to seek the Lord and pray for our nation.....He is faithful to heal our land.  Have a great July 4th weekend!