Blessed is the nation whose God is the LORD;….  Psalm 33:12a

In 1814, Fransis Scott Key traveled to Baltimore during the War of 1812. He arrived to secure the release of his friend, Dr, William Beanes, taken prisoner by the British. While there, he watched the British’s attack of Ft. Henry, which failed. From eight miles away Key observed the American Flag hoisted and unharmed. He penned the first verse of the Star Spangled Banner which later became the United States’ National Anthem.

            Key later finished the poem in a hotel room. The later verses, which we rarely sing, laud praises and credit to the one who deserves it: Praise the Pow’r that has made and preserved us a nation! And this be our motto, “In God is our trust.”

            Are we forgetting to praise God, who is powerful, who made us a nation and who preserves us each day? Is our motto still, “In God we trust?” As we observe the battle for Godly precepts in today’s society, one surely questions the state of our nation.

            The gender identity crisis is dissolved from instruction given in God’s Word: So God created man in his own image, in the image of God created he him; male and female created he them (Genesis 1:27). The abortion agenda pushes and rationalizes the killing of the unborn, denying the sanctity of life as defined in God’s Word: For thou hast possessed my reins; thou has covered me in my mother’s womb. I will praise thee; for I am fearfully and wonderfully made: marvelous are thy works; and that my soul knoweth right well (Psalm 139:13-14). Many appear to accept adultery, fornication, uncleanness, and lasciviousness as a right way to live, but God’s Word does not (Galatians 5:19). Many seem to love pleasures more than they love God (2 Timothy 3:4). In America are we working iniquity and acts of violence with our hands? Are we running to evil, shedding innocent blood, and making crooked paths leaving us spiritually wasted and without peace (Isaiah 59:6-8)? People desperately need to see our Christian banner wave.

           When Francis Scott Key observed the broad strips and bright stars of the American flag that day in 1814, he received inspiration to write what is now our National Anthem. Will others see us Christians in the midst of the battle and be inspired to live for Christ? Do we shine bright and wave our praise, pointing others to Christ, while in the midst of our nation’s spiritual battle? Let’s wave His righteousness for all to see!

WORDS OF TRUTH

Oh that thou hadst hearkened to my commandments! Then had thy peace been as a river, and thy righteousness as the waves of the sea: Isaiah 48:18