One Nation, Under God
Right now, there are many things in this world that are causing us to fear. Even our prayers can come from a place of fear and worry rather than faith and trust. I can often be an overthinker, which can lead me to worry and get caught up in fears and anxiety. I know I am not alone, and this is a struggle for many of us. I believe God can help us to have a new perspective and a deeper understanding. Things that are happening in this world may seem just political, but they are also very biblical.
It can be confusing, even as adults to determine what is right or wrong, what is acceptable or unacceptable. The world around us talks so much about everyone’s rights, inclusion, acceptance and tolerance. How do we interpret this and match it up to common sense and wisdom? Are we always being told truths in the media or is information skewed with a different agenda to lead us astray?
Is there a deliberate attack against Faith, Families and Freedoms? Are we as a nation purposelly being bombarded with triggers to ignit fears that will keep us from thinking for ourselves and just blindly following the crowd because that’s what is socially acceptable? Are we still One Nation, Under God?
Jesus teaches us the Greatest Commandment is to Love the Lord God with all of our heart, soul, mind and strength and to love our neighbors as ourselves. Is is loving to be kind and accepting right? We want to walk in love and be a blessing, to treat everyone with love and respect. Those are good things and the right way to live. I’m sure we can all agree on that.
I think the people of this nation probably agree on more than we even realize. No matter what age or stage of life, what political party or beliefs, whatever race or gender or nationality we are. We all believe in life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness. The bible teaches us that God formed people and created us in our Mother’s womb and we are fearfully and wonderfully made. That life is precious and purposeful until the very end.
We all want our children and families to be safe, and healthy, to be protected now and in the future. We long to find purpose and meaning in this life and to pursue what make us happy. We know and understand we all have the right to think and act differently. We have the freedom to use our own voice and think our own thoughts. That’s one of the things that makes this country so great. We know it is ok to have differences of opinions. We accept that, we tolerate that, and we even try to understand that.
As Christians, how do we handle that? We are also called to be salt and light. Salt of the earth and light of the world. The bible tells us to be in this world, but not of this world. We are taught to not be overcome by evil, but to overcome evil with good. This can be confusing and may feel complicated. How do we find balance?
The bible tells us in 1 Peter 5:8 “ Be sober minded, be watchful, your adversary the devil, prowls around like a roaring lion seeking someone to devour.” How do we know what is right or wrong, good or evil, foolish or wise?
Let’s look at Hebrews 7:23-28, it says “ There have been many of those priests, since death prevented them from continuing in office. But, because Jesus live forever, He has a permanent priesthood. Therefor He is able to save completely those who come to God through Him, because He always lives to intercede for them.”
I received so much reassurance from this passage. Understanding that what is happening in our world today is not only political, but also very biblical. This nation from it’s inception and our world have seen many, many changes in leaders, policies, programs, trends and agendas through the years since the beginning of time. God has and always will be above it all. Jesus Christ is the same, yesterday, today and forever.
It reassures me that as Christians, Jesus is our High Priest. He is our authority and He reigns and intercedes for us all through the Holy Spirit. Have you been asking God to heal this land, to protect our people, to restore our brokenesss and unify us all? I know I have, and so many others have been pleading with God to intercede. There is a spiritual battle taking place, just as there has been through the years. But, our time is now.
The bible tells us in Hebrews that Jesus is unlike the other high priests and He does not need to offer sacrifices day after day, first for his own sins, and then for the sins of the people. He sacrificed for their sins once for all when He offered Himself. We as Christians do not have to keep striving, pleading and begging for forgiveness, because our High Priest, Jesus has made us right with God.
But, we do have to keep believing, following and obeying His lead.
We as adults, as leaders, as teachers need to understand and be aware that so many of the ideas and beliefs being taught right now in our world are just popular and trendy, but not wise. We need to teach our young people this too. We need to teach our children and young adults that the world is loud and filled with distractions and we need to be deliberate about quieting ourselves to be able to hear the voice of the One who matters most. In quietness and trust is your strength. We need to teach them that God and His love and His laws and true and everlasting.
His word also gives us some beautiful promises and covenants that we can rely on. Psalm 5:12 says, “ For you bless the Godly O Lord, You surround them with Your shield of love.”
Hebrews 6:10 says, “ God is not unjust. He will not forget your work and the love you have shown Him as you have helped His people and continue to help them.”
Is this Christian life all about love and understanding, mercy and grace? Yes, that truly is an important part of our journey with God and our walk with other people, and that will always be a big part of my message and mission. I absolutley believe and know that God meets us where we are at. He understands our brokeness, what we needed and didn’t get, our regrets, our fears and our guilt. We have reasons why we act the way we do and make certain decisions and choices. God, in His love and mercy will never turn anyone away. People are complex, and we are all on our own journey with God. We continue to grow as people and gain spiritual insight and wisdom as we mature in our faith. His grace is sufficient for our weaknesses.
We experience great freedoms and peace when we follow His lead and live under His protection. That joy will light up our face and we will radiate love. We are called to walk in love with all people because if our proximity is non-existant than our influence will also have no power. I will never tell people what to think, or how they should feel. I will encourage to believe. Believe in the One who was sent, and trust God to do the work in their hearts because that’s where truly transformation takes place and that’s how lasting changes will happen. What is more loving and kind than trying to teach and lead people to God?
We do need to understand that sin and corruption and foolishness is all around us and sometimes we take a part in that and there are consequences. God does teach us to be wise and to not take advice from foolish leaders.
Hebrews 7: 28 tells us “ For the law appoints as high priests, men in all their weakness; but the oath, which came after the law, appointed the Son who has been made perfect forever.”
We are made the righteousness of God through Christ Jesus.
This passage also reminded me of the oath that is taken when people are in a court of law. In this country, the bible is used to represent an oath, a promise, to be taken seriously understanding that God and His word have power and authority. We, His people are under that rule.
In Romans 3: 19 it says, “ Now we know that whatever the law says, it speaks to those who are under the law, so that every mouth may be silenced, and the whole world may be held accountable to God.”
The foundation of this nation was built upon the belief that all people are created equal, and that this nation is under God. As is says in the Pledge of Alligance- One nation, under God, indivisible with liberty and justice for all.
One nation, under God. Our Founding Fathers had the understanding that when and if this nation remains under God, we will then continue to live under His protection, His provision and His blessings. But, when we move from being under Him, and we start making up our own rules and interpreting or changing things to adapt to what is popular and trendy, then we as a nation also become divided and move farther from God’s protection.
In the gospel of John, Jesus says “ If you continue in my word, you are truly my disciples, and you will know the truth and the truth will make you free.”
God has given us rules and laws and commands and His word to guide and lead us. He wants us to know how to live and gives us grace and strength to do that. He doesn not want us to be lead astray, and that none should perish, but all would have everlasting life.
There always has been and will be a spiritual battle taking place. We have been created for such a time as this. This is our moment and this is our battle. As it says in the last wordsl of our national anthem: The star spangled banner waves, for the land of the free and the home of the brave. We need to continue to be brave. It takes courage to have faith and believe that things can get better, that we still have a bright future filled with hope. Believe that this nation, our freedoms and people are still worth fighting for.
We need to put on that full armor of God, as it says in Ephesians 6. The belt of truth, the breast plate of righteousness, the shoes of the gospel of peace, the shield of faith, the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the spirit.
We need to be brave and stand up and use our voice to speak up for what is right and true, making decisions based on the truth of what we have been taught. We need to be a courageous messenger of peace and love while still guarding ourselves from the attacks of this world and the enemy.
We need to shine a light on any darkness that we see. Put on our shield of faith understanding that there is so much more happening than we can even see. Putting on that helmet of salvation knowing that our heart and mind and soul are made right with God. Swing our sword of the spirit to defend ourselves from the attacks on us, our families and this natioin. Speak out the words and commands and prayers of God that we have been taught and let that lead and prepare us for life’s battles.
Psalm 125: says, “ Just as the mountains surround Jerusalem, so the Lord surrounds His people now and forever.
We need to be strong and courageous and not frightened or dismayed, for the Lord God is with us wherever we go. Sometimes the most courageous thing we can do, is admit we were wrong. The bible tells us that when my people turn their face from their wicked ways, humble themselves and call upon me, then I will have mercy on them and heal their land. It also says, “ I will put my law within them, and I will write it on their hearts and I will be their God and they shall be my people.” As we continue to trust in Him and follow His ways, then we will remain under His protection, provisions and blessings.
Oh Lord, please continue to let us remain One Nation, Under God now and forever. Amen