Lee Greenwood wrote these wonderful lyrics in his song “God Bless the U.S.A.” which include: “And I’m proud to be an American, where at least I know I’m free, and I won’t forget the men who died, who gave that right to me, and I’d gladly stand up, next to you, and defend her still today, ’cause there ain’t no doubt I love this land, God bless the USA.”
God has blessed this country for many years, and I am sure most of us appreciate His goodness and His blessings every day of our lives. These particular lyrics from Mr. Greenwood came to my mind while I was watching the Army’s 250th birthday parade in Washington, D.C. There was something about observing those soldiers who serve in our country’s Army proudly marching with their units and seeing the broad smiles of those in the armored division as they joyously waved to the crowds that touched my heart deeply. After a few minutes I realized I was grinning ear to ear with pleasure at seeing these new recruits and older, wiser troops proudly honoring us, the citizens of the United States of America, with their commitment to serve our country.
Indeed, as citizens young and old we should be thankful to the Lord in heaven for our life here in the USA. The Bible tells us, “The king’s heart is like channels of water in the hand of the Lord; He turns it wherever He pleases.” I certainly am thankful that God leads the presidents, kings and other rulers of this world to God’s wiser choices. This has been so since the beginning of time. As a citizen of heaven and the USA I acknowledge that I am on God’s timeline and not my own.
The Scriptures tell me, “Let every soul be subject unto the higher powers. For there is no power but of God: The powers that be are ordained of God.” The leaders of the world have been chosen by the One I can trust above my own self. How marvelous to know and what a comfort it is to acknowledge this. I can and should vote, but first I have placed my life in God’s hands and believe and know the election outcomes are His choice for this country at this time in history.
I think often of another Scripture verse that calls me to pray for the president, his staff, both houses of Congress, our Supreme Court and state, county, and local officials. That verse requests, “I exhort therefore, that, first of all, supplications, prayers, intercessions and giving of thanks be made for all men; for kings, and for all that are in authority; that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and honesty.”
This week we celebrate the 249th year since the founding of our country. As I read books and articles about our founders I find the majority were men of strong Christian faith. They believed that if they sought God’s face and strength He would guide them through the desired separation from America being a colony in the British Empire to becoming an independent country. They believed correctly, and here we are today as the United States of America. What a strong faith those men held as they were seeking God’s wisdom and listening to their Lord.
Considering what an enormous nation we are I find comfort in the fact that the faith of our citizens and the belief that we live in the best country of the world is what holds our country together. I pray our citizens across the nation will continue to seek God as our leader.
As we celebrate this Fourth of July with picnics and fireworks, sharing food and fun with our families and friends, let us keep in mind our leaders past and present, those that came before us who founded this country and those ever since who have been leading our country to victory after victory. Let us especially remember to tell the next generation, always recalling the great faith and actions of the Founding Fathers George Washington and the presidents who followed, our military leaders along with the history of our land, and the wars we have fought and why we have fought them.
To share our country’s history and the truth and wisdom of our past with the next generation we have many excellent resources we can use. One free source I look to is PragerU.com, which makes available numerous short and informative videos about our country’s history, including the development of our Constitution.
Informed and excited about living in our great land I pray we all may delight to sing in unison, “I am proud to be an American.”
Editor’s note: Amy Patsch writes from Ocean City. Email her at writerGoodGod@gmail.com.