davidbowerkingwood

Praising the Power that Hath Made and Preserved us a Nation!

I discovered a long time ago, that verse 4, of our national anthem, is the one that is most likely to move me to tears. The words of verse 4 are:

“Oh, thus be it ever, when freemen shall stand
Between their loved home and the war’s desolation!
Blest with victory and peace, may the heav’n-rescued land
Praise the Power that hath made and preserved us a nation!
Then conquer we must, when our cause it is just,
And this be our motto: “In God is our trust”:
And the star-spangled banner in triumph shall wave
O’er the land of the free and the home of the brave.”

source: lyricsondemand.com/n/nationalanthemlyrics/usanationalanthemlyrics.html

Any examination of the history of the United States will clearly reveal we’ve had help from above; God’s hand of blessing is so clear to those who can look at our history objectively.

A History of Controversy

I most sincerely wish I could say the behavior we are observing in Washington D. C. is not typical for our nation, but I simply cannot say that; if anything at all it seems to be the normal behavior historically exhibited by our national leaders. Looking back through the pages of our nation’s history we see time and again the same sort of behavior.

In spite of this childish behavior, our nation has done so much good over the years; we are aware of the many accomplishments this nation has achieved over its 243 years history.

As one reviews history it would be easy to believe there is a fundamental problem shared by all of us; some flaw in our natures which allows the unruly behavior which seems so typical of our species. The Bible speaks very plainly on that point, we do all share a flaw which is hereditary to our species, a cursed, fallen sin nature which we inherit at birth.

God’s Process of Preservation

God has a plan to work around that flaw, a plan which offers redemption and restoration to the individual and preservation to the nation. This plan was purchased by God at great expense, the death of God, the Son, the Lord Jesus Christ, at Calvary as full payment for Adam’s sin in the Garden of Eden.

Appropriation of this wondrous gift is by simple faith in the finished work of the Lord Jesus Christ as Savior and God; believe on the Lord Jesus Christ and you will be saved, it is that simple! While simple faith in the Lord Jesus Christ provides redemption and restoration, the matter of national preservation is something else.

The Bible, once again, provides insights into the place and function of nations in God’s plan. In Daniel 4:17 it is written:

¹⁷ For this has been decreed by the messengers;
it is commanded by the holy ones,
so that everyone may know
that the Most High rules over the kingdoms of the world.
He gives them to anyone he chooses—
even to the lowliest of people.”

There is one nation, one land that has been chosen by God to be his nation, his people; that is the nation of Israel. No other nation has been promised a land by the creator of the universe, only Israel. Although God has established the church and given the church responsibilities to spread the gospel and teach the commandments; the church’s home is not on this world, it is in heaven with God.

As we examine the Old Testament, we see God establishing and destroying nations as they relate to Israel; while nations may be called on to judge Israel, we see those nations pay a terrible price for their actions against Israel; this is not only true historically but also true prophetically.

The United States of America has been a historic friend and protector of Israel and as such, has received God’s hand of blessing. In addition, it has been a safe haven for the church and a center for the spread of the gospel and instruction in Biblical righteousness. As a result of God’s grace and mercy to this nation, we have been the recipient of God’s hand of blessing for many years.

Conspicuously Absent

An examination of prophecy reveals one major nation that is conspicuously missing from the world scene; the total absence of the United States. I believe the Rapture of the Church and the following battle of Psalm 83 will eliminate the United States as a world power; I have written more on this in other essays.

While we have no idea on God’s timing for these events, we can know, with complete confidence, that his timing is exact and certain and will be fulfilled precisely as he wills. In the meantime, we have the great commission to obey and instructions to rejoice in the Lord always; rejoice and be glad, God’s will is being fulfilled before our eyes!