In recently celebrating Independence Day, I thanked God for the privilege of living in the United States of America. Some countries guard their borders to keep people in. In America, we have to guard our borders to keep others from entering illegally.
Although I enjoy visiting other countries, I have no desire to leave America and live in another country. However, around the world, people dream of coming to the U.S. – the land of opportunity. We must never take our freedoms lightly. They were paid for with human blood and sacrifice of life.
It was my privilege in May to spend a week with some close personal friends, Joe and Karen Sawyer, and share in the great work being done for Christ at Boston Baptist College in Boston, Mass. I also deeply appreciated them taking me to such places as the Old North Church, where I was reminded of the famous midnight ride of Paul Revere warning the patriots that the British soldiers were coming.
It was a sacred experience to stand with them on a Sunday afternoon at Concord’s North Bridge, where, in the Emerson’s words, “was fired the shot heard ’round the world.” The American Revolution had begun.
But even more fascinating was what a history professor at Boston Baptist College shared with me: The motto of the American Revolution was: “No king but King Jesus.”
What makes America great? One foreign leader said, “America is great because she is good. If American ceases to be good, she will cease to be great.”
That’s why we should pray daily for America and that God’s will be done in this critical election year. It comforts me to know that the book of Daniel teaches us: “The most High ruleth in the kingdom of men, and giveth it to whomsoever he will” (4:25, 32).
Today, God’s people must pray and stand for holiness and righteousness against evil in all its forms – of which there are many – as it eats at the very heart of this great land.
What happens in the White House is important, but far more important is what happens in the church house. God promises, “If my people which are called by my name shall humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then will I hear from heaven and forgive their sins and heal their land” (2 Chronicles 7:14).
In the midst of the Civil War, Abraham Lincoln was asked if he thought God was on the side of the Union. Lincoln replied that his concern was not that God was on the side of the Union, but that our nation was on God’s side.
That should be the heart cry of every Christian patriot today: “Lord, in Thy grace, let this nation, once again, be on God’s side.” Why? Because, “Blessed is the nation whose God is the Lord.”
For the child of God, this land is not a playground. It is a spiritual and moral battleground, and in the name of Jesus and the liberating power of his gospel, we claim this great land.
William Pate Jr., pastor, Tucapau Baptist Church, Startex