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

 Fransis Scott Key penned the Star-Spangled Banner in 1814. He traveled to Baltimore to secure the release of his friend, Dr. William Beanes, who had been taken prisoner by the British. While there, he watched the British attack on Ft. Henry, which failed. From eight miles away, Key observed the American Flag hoisted and unharmed. He penned the poem’s first verse, 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, made us a nation, and preserves us daily? Is our motto still, “In God we trust?” As we observe the battle for Godly precepts in today’s society, one indeed questions the state of our nation.

            The gender identity crisis is dissolved by the 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 the right way to live. Still, 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 stripes and bright stars of the American flag that day in 1814, he was inspired to write what is now our National Anthem. Will others see us Christians amid the battle and be inspired to live for Christ? Do we shine bright and wave our praise, pointing others to Christ during our nation’s spiritual battle? Ladies, let’s wave His righteousness for all to see!

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