Jul
5
Written by:
HeartlandBaptist
7/5/2011 11:12 AM
God Bless America!
What a wonderful phrase! We hear that saying often, especially this time of year. This simple phrase has bonded us together in a way like no other nation on the earth. And its simplicity is part of why it is so wonderful. Those three simple words carry a lot of meaning. First, it acknowledges God. Like the “In God We Trust” on our money or the “So Help Me God” statement from someone giving testimony in a court of law, it simply acknowledges that there is a God and that we know it.
Second, it asks God to bless. Here is where we know that God is not just a statue or some idol for someone doesn’t ask a make-believe character to give them something real. And here is also where we must believe that God is above us for someone only asks for things from someone who is able to give it. For us to ask for God to bless, means that we believe that He is able to bless, to protect, to guide. It is simply acknowledging God’s deity, God’s supremacy, God’s ability to answer our prayers.
And third, this simple phrase is specific for it asks for God to bless America. It identifies our country as a country that believes in and acknowledges God and when we ask for God to bless us, we are putting ourselves under His care and authority. It is not that we wish ill for others but that we want God’s blessings first and foremost for our land for we have believed and trusted in Him and we understand that His righteousness or “right judging” will be to our favor since we have trusted in Him.
The beauty of the phrase is that it is not specific to one denomination or type of church. It is for all those across this land that look to heaven in times of trials and tribulations. It is for every citizen who wants to thank God, it is for every mayor who wants the best for their town or city, it is for every governor that wants his state to prosper, it is for every congressmen and senator, regardless of political party when they work through our nation’s problems and it is especially for presidents who send our men and women off to defend our freedom. It is for anyone that acknowledges that God reigns in the affairs and governments of men. It is even for those who try their best to deny the God that created them because in this land of the free, they too benefit from the fact that God has blessed America.
And so for the rest of this month, as we think on our wonderful country, our beloved state of Iowa and our Iowa troops coming home from overseas, let me encourage you to bend a knee or bow a head and ask God to continue to watch over America. And I’ll close with the words from that great song by Irving Berlin. God Bless America, land that I love. Stand beside her and guide her through the night with a light from above. From the mountains to the prairies to the oceans white with foam, God bless America, my home sweet home.
Rev. R. A. Abell
Senior Pastor
Heartland Baptist Church