bluidkiti
07-04-2009, 10:32 AM
God Bless America
by Michael E. Brooks
"And he has made from one blood every nation
of men to dwell on all the face of the
earth, and has determined their pre-
appointed times and the boundaries of their
dwellings, so that they should seek the
Lord, in the hope that they might grope for
him and find him, though he is not far from
each one of us" (Acts 17:26-27 NKJV).
Today we once again celebrate Independence Day in the
United States. Many give thanks to God for
establishing, prospering and preserving this nation.
Many prayers are also raised that God will continue to
do so in the future. There is great apprehension about
the destiny of our country with its resources and
freedoms. Many threats exist. We ask God to preserve
and protect us.
Is the description of the U.S. as a Christian Nation
justified? Was it ever completely true? Is it even
remotely true today?
In the sense that the majority of its citizens would
identify more closely with Biblical (New Testament)
teachings and Christian religious practices than any
alternatives, then the answer is yes, to both
questions.
If the question refers to actual faith and practice,
then we must sadly conclude that our country as a whole
is not Christian today, and possibly never has been.
However, there is another way of perceiving and
expressing the relationship of our nation with God. We
may not be able to claim that we are a Christian Nation
in the truest sense. But we can certainly affirm that
we are God's Country (as indeed can all other nations).
God created "all nations of men." God set their
boundaries and predetermined their dates. The United
States exists today because God has determined that it
be so. We are his, and he is available to us to be our
God.
Why do nations exist? "...so that they should seek the
Lord" and "in order that they may find Him." That many
within our boundaries have strayed far from God is
undeniable. However that does not mean that we cannot
draw nearer to him again as a nation. And it certainly
does not mean that each citizen may not be faithful.
May God always bless America!
by Michael E. Brooks
"And he has made from one blood every nation
of men to dwell on all the face of the
earth, and has determined their pre-
appointed times and the boundaries of their
dwellings, so that they should seek the
Lord, in the hope that they might grope for
him and find him, though he is not far from
each one of us" (Acts 17:26-27 NKJV).
Today we once again celebrate Independence Day in the
United States. Many give thanks to God for
establishing, prospering and preserving this nation.
Many prayers are also raised that God will continue to
do so in the future. There is great apprehension about
the destiny of our country with its resources and
freedoms. Many threats exist. We ask God to preserve
and protect us.
Is the description of the U.S. as a Christian Nation
justified? Was it ever completely true? Is it even
remotely true today?
In the sense that the majority of its citizens would
identify more closely with Biblical (New Testament)
teachings and Christian religious practices than any
alternatives, then the answer is yes, to both
questions.
If the question refers to actual faith and practice,
then we must sadly conclude that our country as a whole
is not Christian today, and possibly never has been.
However, there is another way of perceiving and
expressing the relationship of our nation with God. We
may not be able to claim that we are a Christian Nation
in the truest sense. But we can certainly affirm that
we are God's Country (as indeed can all other nations).
God created "all nations of men." God set their
boundaries and predetermined their dates. The United
States exists today because God has determined that it
be so. We are his, and he is available to us to be our
God.
Why do nations exist? "...so that they should seek the
Lord" and "in order that they may find Him." That many
within our boundaries have strayed far from God is
undeniable. However that does not mean that we cannot
draw nearer to him again as a nation. And it certainly
does not mean that each citizen may not be faithful.
May God always bless America!