God Bless America

Being the season of the birthday of our nation, I thought I would address our nation. My title being “God Bless America.”

I believe that “God Bless America” is perhaps the most spoken phrase in America and even abroad, in many nations of late, in light of the catastrophes that have fallen on our land. Not only is it said often, it is sung regularly at all sorts of events, as well as our other anthems honoring our country. This is a bittersweet sentiment, because there are prerequisites to receiving blessings from God for an individual as well as for a nation.

First of all we must consider some of the definitions of the words bless or blessings: TO ASK GOD’S FAVOR FOR SOMETHING. Scripture encourages this method of prayer. Paul alerted Timothy, “I urge, then, first of all, that requests, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for everyone—for kings and all those in authority, that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness. This is good, and pleases God and our Savior, who wants all men to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth” (1 Tim. 2:1-4).

Secondly, TO BRING HAPPINESS OR GOOD FORTUNE TO. “Blessed are the people of whom this is true; blessed (K.J.V. – “happy”) are the people whose God is the Lord” (Psa. 144:15). “Blessed is the nation whose God is the Lord, the people he chose for his inheritance. From heaven the Lord looks down and sees all mankind; from his dwelling place he watches all who live on earth—he who forms the hearts of all, who considers everything they do. No king is saved by the size of his army; no warrior escapes by his great strength. A horse is a vain hope for deliverance; despite all its great strength it cannot save. But the eyes of the Lord are on those who fear him, on those whose hope is in his unfailing love” (Psa. 33:12-18).

We pray there may be a genuine change for the better between our leadership and the common man in our nation. But we must not forget the ways in which our nation has turned toward things not pleasing to God. Whenever people depart from God and sin, repentance is required.

My hope is that a time is coming when God will deal with our nation, though I do not know how or when. But individually, God wants to deal with us on a daily basis. He wants to bless us as he promised us in the first Psalm. “Blessed is the man who does not walk in the counsel of the wicked or stand in the way of sinners or sit in the seat of the mockers. But his delight is in the law of the Lord, and on his law he meditates day and night. He is like a tree planted by streams of water, which yield its fruit in season and whose leaf does not wither. Whatever he does prospers” (Psa. 1:1-3).

And finally, I encourage the plea for God to bless America. I believe 2 Chron. 7:14, “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 will heal their land.” May we continue to pray for our nation as well as for one another.

GOD BLESS AMERICA.

Pastor Jake Stirnemann

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