While waiting to enter the sanctuary one Sunday morning, a young boy saw a plaque with names on it. Pulling his mother over to it, he proceeded to ask her what it was about.
Quietly, the boy’s mom explained that the names on it were for those from the community who had passed away in the service.
Without missing a beat, the young man asked, “Mom, did they die in the morning or evening service?”
We are often inundated with calls to separate faith from government. Yet, the Bible lays a foundation for the behavior to be modeled by citizens. Respecting our leaders, serving one’s nation and loving others – even those with whom we may not agree, are ways in which we can honor our Father.
Along these lines, many American believers have answered the call of their nation in times of war and peace. Still others have found different ways to show their allegiance to the nation that they call home through other various acts of service.
In every age, and among each generation, there has been strife and conflict. We shouldn’t expect any more or less, since we’re all human. Yet, America is a sum – a total, of the people who call it “Home”. From the diversity of its population to the brilliant landscapes, we remember with a grateful heart all that God has blessed us with. It’s along these lines that many old church hymnals included a few patriotic anthems amongst their pages, as Christians chose to be thankful for God’s blessings on their land and petitioned their Creator to protect and draw them back to Him.
I hope that the following words will serve as a reminder of the blessings that God has bestowed on this nation.
“AMERICA THE BEAUTIFUL”
Katharine Lee Bates, 1893
O beautiful for spacious skies,
For amber waves of grain,
For purple mountain majesties
Above the fruited plain!
America! America!
God shed His grace on thee
And crown thy good with brotherhood
From sea to shining sea!
O beautiful for pilgrim feet,
Whose stern, impassioned stress
A thoroughfare for freedom beat
Across the wilderness!
America! America!
God mend thine every flaw,
Confirm thy soul in self-control,
Thy liberty in law!
O beautiful for heroes proved
In liberating strife,
Who more than self their country loved
And mercy more than life!
America! America!
May God thy gold refine,
Till all success be nobleness,
And every gain divine!
O beautiful for patriot dream
That sees beyond the years
Thine alabaster cities gleam
Undimmed by human tears!
America! America!
God shed His grace on thee
And crown thy good with brotherhood
From sea to shining sea!
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