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Articles > God Bless America
 
  BY: Pastor Bruce Linderman
   
  “God Bless America.” What a beautiful song. Kate Smith introduced so many years ago. There is something about that song that electrified our nation and I suppose it has become one of the most beloved of all the patriotic songs in America.

There seems to be something in the lyrics of that song that is an indication on the part of America and Americans that we understand that we desperately need the blessings of God. We have been blessed by God and for this we say, "God, bless America, again!" We know that we must have the blessings of our Triune God in the future if we are to continue to prosper as we have in the past. Absolutely every blessing that we have had in the past, that we now enjoy, or that we ever will have and enjoy comes from above! James 1:17–“Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above.” Psalm 33:12 expresses the sentiments of that song when it says, "Blessed is the nation whose God is the LORD; and the people whom he hath chosen for his own inheritance."

The founding of a nation is a very remarkable thing. Throughout history there have been many attempts to found civilizations. For instance, Paracleesus founded a civilization upon culture and it fell.

Alexander the Great founded a civilization upon military genius and it fell. Caesar founded a civilization upon power and it fell. Yet, there was something unique about the founding of America. Roger Babson, many years ago, said, "South America was founded by men who were seeking gold. North America was founded by men who were seeking God". The sturdy men and women, who crossed the ocean to come to our land, came not seeking soil for their plows but liberty for their souls.

When we study the history of the founding of America we discover that there is something unique about our history above all of the nations of the earth. Our pilgrim forefathers came to Plymouth Rock.

They landed there and knelt on their knees, thanking God for their new country. During the days of the Continental Congress, when they were experiencing difficulties and problems, Benjamin Franklin, called upon the Continental Congress to get on their knees, pray, and ask for God's guidance and blessing. I wonder what would happen if that took place in Congress today. Of course, the first thing would be that the ACLU or some other liberal group would try to sue.

Beyond that, I wonder what would happen if the Congress of our land today would get on their knees and pray and ask God for direction and guidance. In order for those prayers to have an impact, there would need to first be an infusion of righteousness in those making the request! As Isaiah 59 reminds us: “Behold, the LORD’S hand is not shortened, that it cannot save; neither his ear heavy, that it cannot hear: But your iniquities have separated you and your God, and your sins have hid his face from you, that he will not hear.” The writer of Proverbs 14:34 points out: “Righteousness exalteth a nation: but sin is a reproach to any people.”

Think about the fruit of America and all the things we have. Think about our natural resources - our forests and our fields, our mines and our minerals. It seems that God has blessed America with almost everything that a nation could ever imagine or need. I like to think of the natural beauty in America.

What a beautiful land this is!

God has blessed us with the form of government which we have. Our government is a Republic. A republic is a form of government of a state or nation where the exercise of the sovereign power is lodged in representatives elected by the people. The people exercise the powers of sovereignty in person. We began as a nation governed by the rule of law, though now we see lawlessness abounding on every hand. But, thank God we are living in a land where we are still able to freely express our opinion. We can express our approval and we can express our dissent. We are free, in the proper manner, to criticize our leaders. There is no Gestapo or concentration camps in which dissenters are gathered up and sent to in America yet.

Think of the freedoms we have in our great country. All freedom has its limits and responsibilities.

We have freedom of speech in America but we do not have freedom to shout "Fire" in a crowded building. Our freedom is limited by certain restraints. Those restraints are present for our good and the good of society.

Consider the enemies of our nation. Atheism. It is an astounding thing in a land that was founded on Christian principles to know that there are millions of people who profess Atheism. We may have forgotten that one of the things that brought about the removal of prayer from public schools was the incessant efforts of an Atheist, Madeline Murray O'Hare. If there's a comic book in heaven then Atheism is on its pages. I heard about an Atheist one time who said to a little boy, "Son, I'll give you an apple if you'll tell me where God is." The little boy said, "Sir, I'll give you a whole barrel of apples if you tell me where God is not." The most unpleasant time in the life of an Atheist is when he feels grateful and has nobody to thank. What a terrible feeling that must be.

It is interesting, however, that in the worst of tragedy and trouble, even atheists call to God for help. Atheism may boldly try to turn Christian witnesses away, but when you're facing the real problems of life you need a God to call on. Blessed is the nation whose God is the Lord. As the text states, "The Lord bringeth the counsel of the heathen to naught: he maketh the devices of the people of none effect." On the other hand we have religious extremists, such as Islamic Fanatics, who vow to exterminate Christianity and our great nation at all costs.

Substance Abuse. It is one of the major problems of America. The statistics are beginning to roll in on the devastating impact of drugs and alcohol in America. We live in a society that has taught the addicted to believe that he's merely the victim of a disease and has no moral responsibility at all.

Society has given excuses for people not to try to change and we've done great damage. A man will never come to know his need of Jesus Christ as long as people tell him he is not morally responsible.

Adultery And Fornication. There has been an explosion of sexual perversion and illicit sexual activity. Pornography abounds (both hard core and soft core); homosexuality is presented as a normal alternative lifestyle and abortion is legal birth control; promiscuity flourishes both among those who are married and those who are single.

Apostasy. That is Spiritual departure from the Word of God. Those today who have departed from the faith. Someone said recently that people have not forsaken the churches, but the churches have forsaken the people by not preaching and teaching the Word of God. The Word of God is what our nation needs desperately.

The Bible still works even in this scientific and modern day. The old book has a message that is as current and up to date as today's paper, in fact, it is more so.

Apathy. A man taking a poll said to a man on the street, "Sir, did you know that the two greatest problems in America are ignorance and apathy?" The man said, "I didn't know and I don't care!" Apathy is an enemy of America. Let’s admit it. The average church member doesn’t care that souls are dying all around us and all around the world while we play Church. If they did, they would get involved in reaching them. The future and hope of America is the cleansing blood of Jesus Christ. His death and resurrection are what saves and renew people. Without Him life is nothing and doomed for failure and eternal life is non-existent.

Patrick Henry said, “Evil men cannot make good citizens. It is impossible that a nation of infidels or idolaters should be a nation of freemen.” The greatest thing you can do for America today is to live your life for the Lord Jesus Christ. Our nation needs God fearing citizens who trust Jesus Christ in all things. The greatest thing that those of us who know Jesus can do is to give America Christian homes. We need to give America Christian citizens. We need to raise our children to stand for good and right. We need to help build His church to the honor and glory of Jesus Christ. When we do that then we can truthfully say from experience, “Blessed is the nation whose God is the Lord: and the people whom he hath chosen for His own inheritance.” May God grant it and may God Bless America. All praise and thanks to God Almighty for our beloved U.S.A.

Amen