God is a being of supreme blessings (James 1:17; John 1:16). As America approaches a “National Holiday”, it is fitting to turn attention to the land beloved by many and longed for the world over. It is definitely true that the “west”, America in particular, is a land of supreme bounty and blessing. Nothing involving mankind has ever come about without its’ skeletons and problems. America isn’t a perfect land, nor does it have a perfect history. Yet, when one considers the entire body of work and history that is “America”, it can be said that today, no greater land exists. America has striven in its history to right its wrongs, to help the feeble, and defend the cause of freedom at home and abroad. All of these are noble, but they are not what brings the blessings to her; only God can do that. Hence the beloved anthem rings, “God bless America, Land that I love. Stand beside her, and guide her, through the night with the light from above.”

            In 1607, the first English settlement was founded in Jamestown, funded by the King, James I. The population increased as more settlers arrived and families grew. It was in 1620 that the Mayflower set sail for America loaded with Pilgrims. They were on a ship funded by 70 businessmen from London. All aboard were to work for the investors the first seven years they were in America. They sought economic possibilities they didn’t have in Dutch country. Among the Dutch, they worked in and stayed in poverty. They left the Dutch to come to America for much more than religious freedom, which they had already enjoyed.  More land exploration and development occurred and towns and cities were founded. Through cold winters, disease, and fighting, Americans endured and dug deep to keep the dream alive. In America, people could join religious freedom with endless economic possibility. That was/is a dream that lives even to this day.

            In 1776, the American people were ready to be out from under the thumb of the English rule. The empire of England was ascending to its zenith, and the Americans were tired of paying taxes to England. The phrase, “taxation without representation” was a rallying cry among American colonist during the 1760’s and 1770’s. All of this was moving the people toward the infamous day, July 04, 1776. The “Declaration of Independence” was signed and published. This historic document informed the world that America was separating from Great Britain. It was a rallying cry to its troops. The Revolutionary War had already begun, and several major battles had already taken place (Siege of Boston- April 19, 1775; Gunpowder Incident- April 20, 1775; New York Armory Raid- April 23, 1775; Capture of Fort Ticonderoga- May 10, 1775; etc.). The war was already underway, but the document informed the world and Britain that it was far from over. Much bloodshed and horror took place over the next seven years. It did not end until 1783.

            In 1787, the Constitution of the United States of America was written. It is this timeless document that guides this nation to this day. It has been amended, but within parameters of the law which it laid down from the fateful day of its signing. It was created on September 17, 1787 and ratified on June 21, 1788. It has been amended 27 times from 1791-1992. It is this grand document that superseded the “Articles of Confederation” and outlines the frame of the Government of the United States. It follows that our government is now and has been since made up of the “Legislative Branch”, the “Executive Branch” and the “Judicial Branch”. This author will make remarks about the Judicial Branch in a few moments, as they have been relevant in the news as of late.

            In 1803, Thomas Jefferson purchased the “Louisiana Territory” from France. This expanded the borders of America and is to date the greatest real estate purchase to ever take place. Jefferson acquired the 828,000 square miles for $15,000,000.00. That comes out to four (.04) cents an acre. In 1853, Americas James Gadsden (US minister to Mexico), negotiated the sale of what is presently Southern Arizona and New Mexico. America has throughout history been blessed to grow into the land mass recognized as the United States, on the North American continent. All of these purchases and expansions were God’s blessing this beloved country.

            It was stated before that no country has operated without its share of mistakes and shame. America is no different. The Supreme Court “got it wrong” in a ruling handed down in 1857. This is known as “Dred Scott V. Sanford”. The Supreme Court decision said that slaves were property and not citizens. It also ruled that congress had no right to ban slavery in the territories. This is considered the worst ruling ever rendered by the court by many professionals and historians who devote themselves to law and the history of it.

            From April 12, 1861- April 09, 1865, the American Civil War was fought. Brothers, Uncles, Cousins, Friends, were separated by battle lines of ideology and loyalty to it, and fought one against another. This battle raged over (1) Slavery (2) Sectionalism and (3) Secession. None of which were worthy of the bloodshed and horror that took place. If the Bible had been held in its proper place, maybe the war wouldn’t have been fought (Romans 12:18). Maybe, slaves would have been set free without a blood bath or brother against brother (Matthew 7:12). Maybe, God had already given men a road map to life and godliness and peace (2 Peter 1:3-8).

            Perhaps the greatest President to ever ascend the ranks of power in this country, was Abraham Lincoln. He literally gave his life to the cause of unity of country and freedom of all people. He issued the “Emancipation Proclamation” on January 01, 1863. While the proclamation didn’t actually free many of the slaves, it did hold true after the confederate states surrendered to the Union army two years later. The last actual battle fought in Texas in May of 1865, and Lee surrendered to Grant in April of the same year. A war torn, battered family of people. A scourge on the back of American history for all time, is the Civil War. It did not have to be.

            Since those horrid times, America has been known as a people that pulled together in hard times. She has banded together as “one nation, under God, INDIVISABLE, with liberty and justice for all” (1892, Francis Bellamy). Slavery is a wound on the history of America that will never be forgotten, yet, she has done so much toward making right. That is exactly what God desires of any person, or people! He desires that men repent (Luke 13:3) and apologize for wrong doing (Matthew 18). It was said by someone, “Apologies aren’t meant to change the past, they are meant to change the future.” David exclaimed, “For I know my transgressions, and my sin is ever before me.” (Psalm 51:3). It is good and right to apologize for wrong doing. America had been wrong for its stance, and the High Court failed the people, but it wouldn’t be the last time.

            On January 22, 1973, the Supreme Court ruled in another “landmark” decision that offered and allowed Constitutional protection and provision for abortion rights. This travesty has been a “new” scourge on the back of this nation ever since. More than 61 million babies have suffered the most egregious and heinous crime, murdered gruesomely, in the womb. This decision has been acknowledged as “bad law” for many, many years. The federal government has no right to involve itself in such matters. The recent reversal of the law was correct. It kicked the responsibility back to the state level. This was decried by one group that wanted federal protection of this act, but the court has rightfully reasoned, that the human being murdered in the womb has a right to live, and is alive, and its life should be protected. That decision is ultimately to be made at the state level. They have “made right” the wrong of 1973.  

            America has done many things contrary to the will of God throughout the years. This writer hopes that in the years to come, gay marriage will be repealed, and other moral atrocities. Although this land is marred with sin, as a whole, it does many wonderful things. America is the most generous nation in the world. She sends more financial and humanitarian aid than any other country. In the fiscal year 2020, America sent out $51.05 Billion dollars in foreign aid. This does not include what churches and religious organizations send. That would be another substantial amount of funds, and is speculated to be around 11 billion dollars.

            There is an account found in the “book of beginnings”, where God is bargaining with Abraham over the people of Sodom (Genesis 18:16-33). And from that bargain, it is ascertained that the righteous can have an affect on the wicked, in so much that God would not destroy the whole land. Abraham started with fifty and went down to 10, until God ended the negotiations. God was willing to spare the wicked city for a measly 10 (2 Peter.3:9; Joel 2:13). God has no pleasure in the death of the wicked (Ezekial 18:23; 33:11). It very well may be the case that the righteous, among this wicked and depraved people, have stayed the anger of God. God will never be indifferent toward sin (Habakkuk 1:13). God will also never be indifferent toward those who labor for the meat that endures to everlasting life (John 6:27). Since God is not willing that men perish, and there are righteous men fighting the good fight of faith, it follows that God may allow the labor to continue for the good of the hearts of those seeking truth. God desires to save all men who will submit to Christ (John 3:16).

            No matter what happens with the beloved country, Christians, as did Abraham, look for a city whose builder and maker is God (Hebrews 11:10). Paul said of those in Colossae, “set your affections on things above, not on things on the earth” (Colossians 3:2). There is nothing wrong with wishing well this great nation, it is right to do so, but children of God take solace in much more than America (Psalm 121:1-2). May God bless America so long as the righteous remnant fight the fight. May she never forget that she depends upon Gods hand to sustain her. God still rules in the Kingdoms of men (Daniel 4:17). Every great nation has fallen, and the fall was preceded by moral rot and degradation.

            May Christians rise daily to the task of cross bearing (Luke 9:23). May Christians rise daily to the task of taking the whole Gospel to the whole world (Matthew 28:18-20). May Christians strive daily to be conformed into His image (Philippians 2:5f; 2 Corinthians 10:5). May Christians daily dawn the armor of God (Ephesians 6:13-20). Let the Christian boldly speak that which they ought to speak (Acts 5:20), in the way they ought to speak it (Ephesians 4:15). May all realize that Christ is the hope of the world (Luke 2:32; Acts 4:12), but that hope is delivered as Christians become what Christ expects (Matthew 5:13-16).

            God Bless America, and through that blessing, may she bless the world.

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God bless you.