Happy Independence Day!

America is truly blessed.

Blessed is the people of whom this is true;
    blessed is the people whose God is the Lord. —Psalms 144:15

She’s been blessed to be a blessing. Look around the world, and you’ll find she’s been faithful to this end. So right after we point to her faults, let’s showcase the nation without a flaw.

People come from all over the world because of faults in their birth countries.
Why leave if everything is perfect? America has a draw that is real, tangible, and extremely lucrative. 

They travel from distant lands to “the land of the free and the home of the brave”
to partake of her wealth of resources, and the hospitality and generosity of her people. We come to find rescue from all manner of life’s trials.

They come legally and illegally, many risking their lives for the hope of a better life.

I think most have that better life. Here’s one way we know this; they don’t return to live in the country of birth. They bring other family members to join them in America.

There’s a newly published Gallup Poll that reveals Americans have become more ashamed than ever of their country.

So!

Is shame the cause for the push to change America?

Which perfect country would we like America to copy?

I remember the story about the children of Israel at a time when the country had no king. They decided they wanted a change of governance.

Samuel, God’s appointed priest, prophet and judge, was getting old, so he appointed his sons to be the judge in Israel. The problem was these men were corrupt and ungodly. It’s only natural the people wanted things to change. So the elders of the tribes of Israel asked Samuel to appoint a king over them so they would be like other nations.

Informed Decision

Their request displeased Samuel because they had a King; the God of all creation, and He was not their problem. They had a unique form of government that was unmatched. God had been faithful to provide for them and protect them from their enemies, all the way from slavery in Egypt to where they are free in their own country. Now they wanted God out of their lives. Talk about biting the hand that feeds you.

Since judges hold such a dominant position in society, their concern was warranted. However, you would think they would want to replace the judges with godly judges. No. They overreached to dethrone God, and put their governance in the hands of men! Sadly that is still practiced today. People tend to blame God for what corrupt and ungodly leaders do. 

The evidence is overwhelming — governance without God doesn’t work. Things always get worse.

God is King, not a dictator, so He told Samuel to grant them their request, but warn them about the type of king they’ll have, and the life they will have under his rule.

Since this generation was a long way from Egypt, God wanted them to know that life would not be the same once they changed the government from God to man. This was a decision that would affect them for generations. Their ancestors’ experience as slaves under Pharaoh’s rule was foreign to them. They were a free and prosperous people. Yes, they had some troubles, but God had always been there for them.

God had issued another warning when the children of Israel came out of the wilderness to occupy the promised land of Canaan (Deuteronomy 8: 11-19).

As part of the preparation, they were to do two things:

1. Teach their children God’s commandments, statutes, and judgments (Deuteronomy 6: 1-2, 7),
2. Teach them their history, Deuteronomy 6: 20-25. These two things are critical for the success of any nation.

Here’s a summary of what God told Samuel to tell them would happen once they get their king:
• The king would take their children to work for him.
• Their businesses would be taken over by the government.
• Their properties would be confiscated and given to the king’s officials.
• Taxes would be charged to pay government workers, (1 Samuel 8:10- 19).

They still insisted that their request be granted:

These days it’s fashionable to look to government to fix humanitarian problems. Government without God is unable to satisfy the needs of the people of any country. Blessed and happy is the people and nation when God is their Lord. (Psalm 144:15, Psalm 33:12).

We avoid shame when we obey God. 

Psalms 119:5-6:
Oh, that my ways were steadfast
in obeying your decrees!
Then I would not be put to shame.
when I consider all your commands.

There is hope for America in God’s forgiveness.

The people of Israel admitted, and repented of their sin and asked for forgiveness, 1 Samuel 12:19. Samuel comforted them with the assurance that God will not forsake them. He then prayed for them as it would have been a sin against God if he hadn’t, 1Samuel 12: 20-25. 

God will never forsake America.

America is in danger if she leaves God.

God forgives generously.

Will America receive His forgiveness, and let Him solve her problems?

God bless you!

God bless America!