Sunday, May 26, 2013

In God We Trust - A Treasured Moments Devotional


As we approach the first of our American patriotic holidays, I find myself reflecting upon the dream our Founding Fathers had for our great nation, the sacrifices of many great men and women who have valiantly defended our freedoms, and our responsibilities as Christians to stand firm in our beliefs and to fight for the exact principles upon which our great nation was built. 

“Blessed is the nation whose God is the Lord, the people he chose for his inheritance. From heaven the Lord looks down and sees all mankind; from his dwelling place he watches all who live on earth” Psalm 33:12-14




Since many of our great leaders have eloquently stated the importance of God in the foundation of our American government, let us reflect upon their insight and wisdom:

“It is the duty of all nations to acknowledge the providence of Almighty God, to obey His will, to be grateful for His benefits, and humbly to implore His protection and favor.” - George Washington, Founding Father, 1st President of the United States of America

“We have staked the whole future of our new nation, not upon the power of government; far from it. We have staked the future of all our political constitutions upon the capacity of each of ourselves to govern ourselves according to the moral principles of the Ten Commandments.” - James Madison, Founding Father, Primary Author of the Constitution of the United States of America, and the 4th President of the United States of America

“And whereas it is the duty of nations as well as of men, to own their dependence upon the overruling power of God … and to recognize the sublime truth, announced in the Holy Scriptures and proven by all history, that those nations only are blessed whose God is the Lord.” - Abraham Lincoln, 16th President of the United States of America

“Without God there could be no American form of government, nor an American way of life. Recognition of the Supreme Being is the first, the most basic, expression of Americanism. Thus, the founding fathers of America saw it, and thus with God’s help, it will continue to be.” - Dwight D. Eisenhower, 33rd President of the United States of America


“I believe with all my heart that standing up for America means standing up for the God who has so blessed our land. We need God's help to guide our nation through stormy seas. But we can't expect Him to protect America in a crisis if we just leave Him over on the shelf in our day-to-day living.” - Ronald Reagan, 39th President of the United States of America



The Bible warns nations who have turned their backs on their faith and on God. 

Psalm 9:15-17 states, “The nations have fallen into the pit they have dug; their feet are caught in the net they have hidden. The Lord is known by his acts of justice; the wicked are ensnared by the work of their hands. The wicked go down to the realm of the dead, all the nations that forget God.” 
 
Ronald Reagan, 39th President of the United States of America also warned Americans when he said, “If we ever forget that we're one nation under God, then we will be a nation gone under." 

We cannot forget that our nation was founded upon Biblical principles set forth in God's word nor that we have a duty to live our faith out in every aspect of our lives, including taking a firm stand in how our country is run. Pray fervently for our country. We desperately need to be One Nation under God as our Sovereign Lord once again. Pray for government leaders who aren't afraid to live by their Christian convictions and take a firm stance. We need men and women of integrity who aren't afraid to say, "Here am I, Send me!"  Ask God to forgive us for our sins, as a nation, against Him and for our disobedience in following His will for our nation and His laws that help govern us. He doesn't create laws to punish us. He creates laws to protect us. Pray that as Christians we can remain strong in our faith and stand up against what we know is wrong. We need fortitude to keep fighting the good fight for our race is far from over. 



Prayer: “Oh, eternal and everlasting God, direct my thoughts, words and work. Wash away my sins in the immaculate blood of the Lamb and purge my heart by Thy Holy Spirit. Daily, frame me more and more in the likeness of Thy son, Jesus Christ, that living in Thy fear, and dying in Thy favor, I may in thy appointed time obtain the resurrection of the justified unto eternal life. Bless, O Lord, the whole race of mankind and let the world be filled with the knowledge of Thee and Thy son, Jesus Christ.” Amen - George Washington, Founding Father and 1st President of the United States of America







Please pray for our American soldiers as they so valiantly and selflessly lay their lives on the line daily to protect our great nation and our freedoms as Americans. Pray that God will be their protection, their strength, and their comfort, especially in times of trouble.




American Soldiers - Thank you for your service and for your sacrifice for freedom comes at a price.




Please pray for the families of our American soldiers who paid the ultimate sacrifice while fighting for our freedom. Pray that God will be their comfort and their strength and that His peace will wash over them like a healing balm.