It saddens me to think we've come this far as a nation only to have it slip out of our hands. We know through the Word of God that nations come and go. I believe they do because they do not hold God in high esteem. Take the nations in the Old Testament days which did not worship God but their own gods. They may have grown great but were taken down in time. Hmmmm. We once were great; will we be taken down?
I can't say it enough how a nation has to have God as it's Source. And so do we.
I've been watching America, The Story of Us. It brings me to tears sometimes to see the mettle, physical strength and pride of our forefathers. They cherished their freedom,
fought for it and worked for it. They were proud of their accomplishments. But they also had a strong sense of faith in God.
The episode I recently watched was about the building of New York City and the development of industry, how we have learned from our mistakes and began to make changes for the betterment of life and living and working conditions. There was always someone who had the knowledge and determination to bring about something useful, from the man who determined to assemble the Statue of Liberty, to Carnegie's steel and Edison's light bulb. Even when crime became a problem, there was someone to step in to bring about a positive change. They moved forward.
The Statue of Liberty, I'm sure we all know was sent to us as a gift from France who helped us in our battle for independence against the British. The people who arrived on the shores of our country then came not just hoping for a new found freedom through this nation but to find a place to live and work. They did not have much to start out, but they worked to build a nestegg.
How different it is today. We seem to be moving backwards. Change is not as much positive. Yes, there are those who still have pride in their jobs and have worked hard to build businesses, but there are others just wanting a handout. At the same time there are those who aren't satisfied with just enough and use others, even destroy others, by stealing from them for their own greedy gain.
In the beginning of our growth as a nation I believe we were proud of our accomplishments. We were determined and believed that there was an Almighty God to rely on in all of our struggles. What has become of these people?
The episode I recently watched was about the building of New York City and the development of industry, how we have learned from our mistakes and began to make changes for the betterment of life and living and working conditions. There was always someone who had the knowledge and determination to bring about something useful, from the man who determined to assemble the Statue of Liberty, to Carnegie's steel and Edison's light bulb. Even when crime became a problem, there was someone to step in to bring about a positive change. They moved forward.
The Statue of Liberty, I'm sure we all know was sent to us as a gift from France who helped us in our battle for independence against the British. The people who arrived on the shores of our country then came not just hoping for a new found freedom through this nation but to find a place to live and work. They did not have much to start out, but they worked to build a nestegg.
How different it is today. We seem to be moving backwards. Change is not as much positive. Yes, there are those who still have pride in their jobs and have worked hard to build businesses, but there are others just wanting a handout. At the same time there are those who aren't satisfied with just enough and use others, even destroy others, by stealing from them for their own greedy gain.
In the beginning of our growth as a nation I believe we were proud of our accomplishments. We were determined and believed that there was an Almighty God to rely on in all of our struggles. What has become of these people?
Tuesday Oswald Chambers in My Utmost For His Highest said: God does not keep a man immune from trouble; He says - "I will be with him in trouble." It does not matter what actual troubles in the most extreme form get hold of a man's life, not one of them can separate him from his relationship to God. But we need to be in that relationship. There's the clincher. This goes for man and country.
Chambers went on to say that Tribulation is never a noble thing; but let tribulation be what it may - exhausting, galling, fatiguing, it is not able to separate us from the love of God. Never let cares or tribulations separate you from the fact that God loves you... This is good news! ...Logic is silenced in the face of every one of these things (tribulation, anguish or famine).
Chambers went on to say that Tribulation is never a noble thing; but let tribulation be what it may - exhausting, galling, fatiguing, it is not able to separate us from the love of God. Never let cares or tribulations separate you from the fact that God loves you... This is good news! ...Logic is silenced in the face of every one of these things (tribulation, anguish or famine).
I just cannot separate anything in life from God anymore. I see Him everywhere. I know others feel the same. He is such an integral part of life. If it weren't for Him we'd not be here experiencing life as it is. He was with us when this country was founded, but I fear He is backing away a bit until we come to the realization we need Him once again.
We are seeing God in action, if we can recognize it. It is exciting, despite the trouble we can sense ahead. He is able to do anything…anything. What looks like a mess to us He sees clearly. When we don't understand how good can come out of something, He knows exactly what He's doing. That takes faith. Faith in believing what we don't see…in our own lives and in the world.
We have built this country with our own hands through, I believe, the strength of God who always wants to bless those who believe in Him. Our beliefs are not strong enough anymore. Oh, there are many who still look to God, but the eyes of others need to be opened and perhaps with a bit of tribulation God will chastise us. He will cause us to look up.
Psalm 42:11b - Hope in God; for I shall yet praise Him, the help of my countenance and my God.
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