This week is the 56th anniversary establishing the wording of the Pledge of Allegiance to contain the phrase “one nation under God.” This reference to God has been challenged repeatedly in the court system but twice has been upheld by the Supreme Court as reflecting the view of the founders of this great nation. From the very beginning our forefathers saw that the destiny of our land was tied to faith in God.
Thousands of years before this nation began, the Ruler of the universe established the conditions of true greatness. He said, “Righteousness exalts a nation, but sin is a reproach to any people” (Pro. 14:34). In our arrogance we have thought our place in the world has been determined by our own merit. The truth is that we have shaped the world because God exalts righteous nations!
There is the other side of this issue and that is how God handles those He has exalted when they forget Him. David said, “The wicked shall be turned into hell, and all the nations that forget God” (Psalm 9:17). How can we ignore such a plain affirmation of what seemingly lies ahead of us? All nations, and that includes this one, shall be turned into the abyss by the same God who exalted it! This is the nature of God and is the destiny of our land.
In 1831, Alexis de Tocqueville came from France and spent more than a year travelling across our nation. When this renowned French statesman, historian and social philosopher returned home, he wrote extensively about what he had learned about us. Think soberly about this view of America’s greatness by one who had no purpose in mind other than to describe us accurately. The following quotes are from his two volume publication, Democracy in America.
“I sought for the key to the greatness and genius of America in her harbors . . . ; in her fertile fields and boundless forests; in her rich mines and vast world commerce; in her public school systems and institutions of learning. I sought for it in her democratic Congress and in her matchless Constitution.
“Not until I went into the churches of America and heard her pulpits flame with righteousness did I understand the secret of her genius and power.”
Then in one sweeping statement he accurately summed it all up. “America is great because she is good. If America ceases to be good, America will cease to be great.”
What does this have to do with us? It is in our unwavering devotion to the proclamation of His righteousness that lies our hope. Far too many are seeking to turn this land into one nation out from under God. Thank God for PBL!