One Nation Under God

"Blessed is the nation whose God is the Lord; and the people whom he hath chosen for his own inheritance (Psalm 33: 12)."  
 
In the United States of America, the 4th of July is a celebration of independence and freedom. We pledge our allegiance to the flag, this country, and the principles upon which it stands: liberty and justice for all. The Pledge of Allegiance is known and/or recited by most of our students, children, military members, and citizens in this country and it includes these four words, “...one nation under God…” According to ​US History.org​, the Pledge of Allegiance was written in August 1892 by the socialist minister Francis Bellamy (1855-1931), later adapted by the U. S. and in 1954, the words “under God” were added in response to the Communist threat. It now reads,"I pledge allegiance to the Flag of the United States of America, and to the Republic for which it stands, ​one Nation under God,​ indivisible, with liberty and justice for all." As we celebrate the birth of this great country and our history of liberty and justice, we can be thankful for being one nation under God, Psalm 33: 12 says, “Blessed is the nation whose God is the Lord; and the people whom he hath chosen for his own inheritance.” This Psalm is thought to be written by David as an exhortation to God’s people to remember the goodness of God and “praise him for his wonderful works toward the children of men” (Psalm 107: 31). 
 
One nation under God, knows Jesus as their Lord and Savior. David has a history of being in many challenges and dire circumstances including keeping his father’s herds and facing the lion and the bear, facing Goliath, being a victim of King Saul’s wrath, the sin of adultery, countless battles of war, treason in battle, and battles with his family. Through it all, the Lord called David a man after his own heart (I Samuel 13: 14). David praised the Lord in his victories, in his weaknesses, in repentance, and for God’s strength and deliverance. Like Israel, the U.S. is a nation under God’s love and protection. The Lord blesses us with his bounty and bestows us with his guidance through the circumstances in our lives.  Like David and us, the Israelites and the United States make mistakes and go contrary to God’s will, but God’s people remain under the providence of God.  Even with all the events in the news: politics, natural disasters, injustices around the world we are one nation under God that is used to spread his word and his love. Proverbs 9: 10 says, The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom and knowing the Holy One is understanding.” Believing that he is the Creator of all things including us, gives us reverence and appreciation for his greatness. 
 
In one nation under God, God’s people are sought out to give their witness to a dying world to tell of the goodness of God and how he has blessed them in happiness and sorrow. As a nation under God, we are blessed to be the leaders of the free world and to whom much is given much is required. One nation that should be indivisible from God’s word and sharing his love through the tools and resources he has blessed us with. After Solomon built the temple, the Lord admonished the Israelites in 2nd Chronicles 7: 14 that, “If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land.” Prayer confirms our faith and without faith it is impossible to please God, for he that cometh to God must believe he is a rewarder of him who diligently seeks him (Hebrews 11: 6).  
 
As one nation under God, we are blessed to know that Jesus is our portion and he will withhold no good thing from his children as the scripture says, “Blessed is the nation whose God is the Lord; and the people whom he hath chosen for his own inheritance (Psalm 33: 12). As we pray and pledge, let us remember that we are one nation under God’s word and chosen for the fulfilment of liberty and justice for all! We thank you for visiting our website, please contact us for more fellowship in the word. 
 
Be blessed, Pastor Kirkland