AMERICA THE BEAUTIFUL
In a recent church service I attended, I wept as we sang “America the Beautiful”. The touching words were written as a poem by Katherine Lee Bates in 1893 as she traveled by train across the United States, inspired by the many sites she saw. So much has changed in this country over the nearly 130 years since she wrote these words. She, too, may have wept, if she were standing with me, as she thought about the changes in our country. However, some things never change, no matter how many years have passed: God is still on His Throne and His commands still stand. “The grass withers, the flower fades; but the Word of our God stands forever.” (Is 40:8) And, in this, we have hope.
One of the lines in the song especially stood out to me: “Confirm thy soul in self-control, Thy liberty in law!” As we look at our country today, we see a shortage of self-control and an excess of lawlessness. Somehow, over the 246 years since the beginning of this country, many people have decided that what they believe and want is more important that what others believe and want. Consequently, we have people in the streets and through the media demanding to have their way. It doesn’t matter to them that other people think differently than they do or that what they are demanding has been ruled unconstitutional. They want what they want, and they want it now! Recent Supreme Court rulings have caused an increase in their behavior. The Court’s decision concerning New York’s law regarding requirements for concealed carry applicants, as well as their decision concerning the EPA’s overreach of power in West Virginia, are two rulings that have caused unrest in the media as well as in Congress. However, the Court’s decision concerning Roe v. Wade has caused disorder, chaos, and lawlessness in the streets, exacerbated by the words and actions of some members of Congress, who have sworn to uphold our Constitution. Unfortunately, the US Department of Justice has allowed the demonstrators to break the law without repercussion. Any action that can be construed as influencing the outcome of a court case is not allowed. Yet, there have been demonstrators outside the homes of the conservative justices, with no one even attempting to enforce the law against this.
Another line: “And crown thy good with brotherhood, From sea to shining sea,” hardly seems applicable to our country today. Brotherhood denotes a common ancestry that should make us want to work for what’s best for everyone. If you watch, listen to, or read the news you will be hard-pressed to find that ‘brotherhood.’ You will find more negative comments about opposing views than you can stand to consume for more than two minutes. How did we develop such differing opinions on immigration, the economy, fuel production, sexuality and other moral values, to name a few? Could it be that we serve different ‘brothers?’ or ‘Fathers?’
The author wrote this about our Founding Fathers: “Who more than self their country loved, And mercy more than life!” Our Founding Fathers were not perfect men. They had their faults, as do all of us. But that doesn’t nullify their efforts and their sacrifices to establish this free republic. They were willing to give up their very lives in order to break free from the King of Great Britain. Some lost their homes and land, their families, their money, and died in poverty or prison. They loved their country more than they loved their own lives. Does this sacrifice sound somewhat familiar? “Greater love has no one than this, that one lay down his life for his friends.” (John 15:13) Please understand that I am not comparing our Founding Fathers to Jesus. I am pointing out that they were willing to take risks in order to accomplish what was best for the people who wanted freedom from the tyranny of British rule. They broke away from the comfort of ‘conforming’ and stood against those who were not willing to allow them to have their freedom.
It is sad to see our country so divided. It is maddening to see people rioting in the streets, damaging property, stealing and assaulting in broad daylight, threatening and harassing those they don’t agree with, and just plain out engaging in anarchy. This is not what our Founding Fathers sacrificed for. It is time for us to make a sacrifice if we are concerned about the direction in which our country is going. That sacrifice begins on our knees. We must make a choice. Do we do nothing and watch this country be destroyed from within? Or do we cry out to God, our Father, and our Lord, Yeshua the Messiah, in prayer? Have mercy on this nation, Lord. Do not give us what we deserve. “America, America, God shed his grace on thee.”
“For one will hardly die for a righteous man, though perhaps for the good man someone would dare even to die. But God demonstrates His own love toward us in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.” (Rom 5:7-8)
“Baruch Ata Adonai, Eloheinu Melech Ha Olam”
Blessed are you O Lord our God, King of the Universe.
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