Friday, July 5, 2013
Deuteronomy 9:6 The LORD your God is not giving you this land to possess because of your righteousness, for you are a stiff-necked people.
PRAISE GOD FOR HIS GRACE SHED ON AMERICA (2)
It behooves us to remember that the blessings we Americans enjoy from God's hand are ours not because we deserve them but because He is gracious and merciful. What He said about the Israelites long ago applies to us. We are a stiff-necked people no more worthy of His favor than any other nation. We are a godless nation which has turned aside from His righteous ways. Consider the sin of materialism that has infested our American culture. The general mindset is: "Eat, drink, and be merry for tomorrow we die." The majority have put all their eggs into the basket of this temporary life, giving no thought for the one to come. Children are rebelling against the authority of their parents. Parents are guilty of physical child abuse and, more tragically, spiritual child abuse by neglecting to train up their children for the Lord. The monster of abortion continues to slaughter thousands of unborn. God's holy institution of marriage is being more and more desecrated. There's a growing lack of appreciation for the treasures of God's grace in Christ among church people. What must God say as He looks down on our country from His exalted throne? Must He not lament: "Ah, sinful nation, a people loaded with guilt, a brood of evildoers, children given to corruption! They have forsaken the LORD; they have spurned the Holy One of Israel and turned their backs on Him" (Isaiah 1:4).
This July 4th holiday weekend and beyond let us implore God to forgive our personal sins and national sins. Let us fly to His throne of mercy, petitioning Him to deal with us according to His steadfast love in Christ, not according to what we deserve. Let us praise Him for the grace He continues to shed on our United States of America.
And when in power He comes, Oh, may our native land
From all its rending tombs Send forth a glorious band,
A countless throng, With joy to sing
To heaven's high King Salvation's song!
(The Lutheran Hymnal, 575:5)
