One Nation Under God (2)

Big Idea: America's greatest need has never been more power, greater prosperity, or better politics. America's greatest need has always been a greater dependence upon God.

Introduction

This weekend, our nation pauses to celebrate a milestone that few countries in the history of the world have experienced. We celebrate 250 years since the signing of the Declaration of Independence on July 4, 1776.

Two hundred and fifty years.

Think about all that has happened in those two and a half centuries.

Our nation has survived the Revolutionary War, a Civil War that threatened to tear us apart, two World Wars, the Great Depression, economic recessions, terrorist attacks, natural disasters, and countless other challenges.

We've watched men and women leave their homes, put on a military uniform, and willingly risk everything so that future generations could live in freedom.

We've seen missionaries leave American soil to take the gospel around the world.

We've seen churches planted in communities across this nation.

We've experienced blessings that much of the world has never known.

We should be thankful.

As Christians, gratitude ought to characterize our hearts. We ought to thank God for every freedom we enjoy—the freedom to gather in this building, the freedom to open God's Word publicly, the freedom to proclaim Jesus Christ without fear of government interference.

Those freedoms are gifts from God.

But as wonderful as America is, today is not ultimately about America.

It is about God.

Because no nation is blessed simply because of its flag.

No nation is blessed because of its economy.

No nation is blessed because of its military.

No nation is blessed because of its history.

A nation is blessed only because of the gracious hand of Almighty God.

That is exactly what Psalm 33 teaches us.

Now, before we dive into this passage, we need to understand something important.

Psalm 33 was written about Israel, God's covenant people under the Old Covenant. We should never take promises God made specifically to Israel and automatically apply them to America.

America is not a "new Israel."

We are not God's covenant nation.

However, while the specific promise belongs to Israel, the principle behind the promise reveals something about the character of God that applies to every people in every generation.

God delights to bless those who honor Him.

God opposes pride but gives grace to the humble.

God honors those who trust Him.

Those truths never change.

As we celebrate 250 years of American history, I want us to ask one simple question:

What makes a nation truly great?

Some would answer:

"A strong economy."

Others would say,

"A powerful military."

Still others would say,

"Good education."

"Strong families."

"Honest government."

While all of those things are valuable, God points us to something even greater.

Read Psalm 33:12–22 (CSB).

"Happy is the nation whose God is the LORD—the people he has chosen to be his own possession..."

I. A Nation Is Blessed When It Honors God

Psalm 33:12–15

"Happy is the nation whose God is the LORD—the people he has chosen to be his own possession."

The very first verse establishes the foundation for everything else in this psalm.

The word translated "happy" can also be understood as "blessed."

It speaks of God's favor. His goodness. His provision. His protection.

Every nation longs to be blessed. Every family wants blessing. Every person desires blessing.

The question is, where does that blessing come from?

The psalmist answers with crystal clarity.

Blessing comes from the Lord. Not because people are perfect. Not because a nation deserves it.

But because God graciously pours out His favor.

Notice that verse 12 does not say, "Blessed is the nation with the strongest economy."

It doesn't say, "Blessed is the nation with the greatest military."

It doesn't say, "Blessed is the nation with the wisest leaders."

It says, "Happy is the nation whose God is the LORD."

The emphasis is not on what a nation possesses.

The emphasis is on Who the nation acknowledges.

A. God's Rule (v. 12)

The phrase "whose God is the LORD" reminds us that God is the rightful ruler over every nation.

Whether leaders recognize Him or not...Whether governments acknowledge Him or not...

Whether cultures obey Him or not...God is still King.

Psalm 47:8 says,

"God reigns over the nations; God is seated on his holy throne." (CSB)

The governments of this world change constantly.

Kings rise. Kings fall. Presidents come. Presidents go. Political parties gain power.

Political parties lose power.

But through every election...Through every war...Through every economic crisis...

God has never once stepped off His throne.

That truth ought to give believers confidence.

Sometimes people act as though the future of the world depends on who wins the next election.

Church, the future of the world has never rested in Washington.

It rests in heaven.

God has never wrung His hands wondering what will happen next.

He is sovereign. He reigns. He rules.

That doesn't mean every nation honors Him.

Sadly, history proves otherwise.

But it does mean every nation is accountable to Him.

America has enjoyed tremendous blessings throughout her history.

Not because we have always done what was right.

Not because we have always honored God perfectly.

Certainly not because we are better than other nations.

We have been blessed because God has been gracious.

James reminds us,

"Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights." (James 1:17, CSB)

Every freedom...Every opportunity...Every blessing...Ultimately comes from Him.

Illustration

Imagine a child opening presents on Christmas morning.

He's excited about every gift. He plays with every toy. He enjoys every blessing.

But suppose he never once turns around and says, "Thank you."

How heartbreaking. Sadly, nations can become like that child.

We enjoy God's gifts while forgetting the God who gave them.

One of the greatest dangers for any prosperous people is that prosperity can cause us to forget our Provider.

That was exactly what Moses warned Israel about in Deuteronomy 8.

When they entered the Promised Land, they would build houses they didn't build.

Harvest crops they didn't plant. Drink from wells they didn't dig.

And Moses warned them,

"Be careful that you don't forget the LORD your God." (Deuteronomy 8:11, CSB)

Could that warning apply to America? Absolutely.

We enjoy comforts unlike most of the world.

But comfort can become a spiritual enemy if it causes us to forget the One who blessed us.

Application

Church, gratitude is one of the greatest expressions of faith.

Before we criticize our nation...Before we complain about what is wrong...

Let's first thank God for what He has graciously given.

Thank Him for religious liberty. Thank Him for faithful churches.

Thank Him for Christian parents and grandparents. Thank Him for missionaries.

Thank Him for His patience. Thank Him for His mercy. A grateful heart honors God.

B. God's Reach (vv. 13–14)

The psalmist continues,

"The LORD looks down from heaven; he observes everyone. He gazes on all the inhabitants of the earth from his dwelling place."

Think about that picture.

God doesn't merely glance toward the earth. He observes. He watches.

Nothing escapes His attention.

Every nation. Every city. Every church. Every home. Every person.

There has never been a ruler whom God did not see.

There has never been a battle God did not witness.

There has never been a decision made behind closed doors that escaped His notice.

Sometimes it feels as though evil is winning.

Sometimes we wonder if anyone notices the corruption, violence, or injustice around us.

God does.

He has never missed a single moment. He sees what CNN doesn't report.

He sees what Fox News doesn't report. He sees what social media hides.

He sees every act of kindness that no one applauds.

He sees every hidden sin that no one else knows.

He sees every prayer whispered in the middle of the night.

Nothing is hidden from the Lord.

That should both comfort us and challenge us.

It comforts us because injustice never escapes His eye.

It challenges us because neither does our own heart.

Transition

That leads us to the final truth under this point. God not only rules over the nations, and God not only sees the nations...

He knows every heart within the nations.

C. God's Record (v. 15)

David concludes this section with these words:

"He alone shapes their hearts; he considers all their works." (Psalm 33:15, CSB)

This is one of the most profound statements in this psalm.

God not only sees the nations from heaven.

God not only watches kings and presidents.

God knows every heart.

There isn't a thought you've had this week that God doesn't know.

There isn't a motive behind your actions that God doesn't understand.

There isn't a conversation that caught Him by surprise.

God knows us better than we know ourselves.

Jeremiah 17:10 says,

"I, the LORD, examine the mind, I test the heart to give to each according to his way, according to what his actions deserve." (CSB)

When we think about the condition of America, it's easy to focus on headlines.

We look at Washington.

We look at the Supreme Court.

We look at Wall Street.

We look at Hollywood.

We look at social media.

But God looks somewhere else.

He looks at hearts.

Because every national problem is ultimately a heart problem.

Corruption begins in the heart.

Hatred begins in the heart.

Greed begins in the heart.

Violence begins in the heart.

Jesus said in Matthew 15 that evil thoughts, murders, adulteries, thefts, false testimonies, and slander all proceed from the heart.

If the heart is the problem, then changing laws alone cannot solve it.

Laws are important.

Government has an important God-given role.

But legislation cannot regenerate a sinner.

Only Jesus Christ can do that.

Illustration

Imagine you have a tree in your yard that keeps producing rotten fruit.

Every week you walk outside and pull off the bad apples.

For a few days, it looks better.

Then more rotten fruit appears.

Eventually you realize the problem isn't the fruit.

The problem is the tree.

Until the tree is changed, the fruit will never change.

That's exactly how it is with people.

We often focus on behavior while God focuses on the heart.

That's why the gospel is so powerful.

Jesus doesn't simply clean up our lives.

He gives us a new heart.

Paul wrote in 2 Corinthians 5:17,

"Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has passed away, and see, the new has come!" (CSB)

America doesn't simply need moral improvement.

America needs transformed people.

Neighborhoods change when families change.

Families change when hearts change.

Hearts change when people meet Jesus.

Application

Church, before we point fingers at everyone else, perhaps we should ask ourselves:

Does God truly rule my heart?

Is my home honoring Christ?

Am I living as a faithful witness?

If America became exactly like me spiritually, what kind of nation would it become?

Revival doesn't begin with "those people."

Revival begins with God's people.

As the old hymn says,

"Lord, send a revival... and let it begin in me."

Transition

David has shown us where blessing begins.

It begins by honoring God.

But now he shifts his attention to another important truth.

Not only is a nation blessed when it honors God...

II. A Nation Is Strong When It Depends on God

Psalm 33:16–17

"A king is not saved by a large army; a warrior will not be rescued by great strength. The horse is a false hope for safety; it provides no escape by its great power." (CSB)

David now confronts one of humanity's oldest temptations.

The temptation to trust ourselves.

Every generation struggles with it.

Israel trusted horses.

We trust technology.

Israel trusted armies.

We trust military power.

Israel trusted kings.

We trust politicians.

But the object changes while the temptation remains the same.

To believe that what we can see is more dependable than the God we cannot see.

David reminds us that real strength never begins with human ability.

It begins with dependence upon God.

A. Human Power Is Limited

Verse 16 says,

"A king is not saved by a large army."

Now David isn't saying armies are unnecessary.

The Bible never teaches that.

Governments have a God-given responsibility to protect their citizens.

Scripture even commends those who serve faithfully in positions of authority.

What David is saying is this:

An army, by itself, is never the reason for victory.

History proves that.

The strongest armies have been defeated.

The most powerful empires have fallen.

Egypt.

Assyria.

Babylon.

Persia.

Greece.

Rome.

Each one looked unstoppable.

Each one eventually collapsed.

Because strength without God is temporary.

Psalm 20:7 says,

"Some take pride in chariots, and others in horses, but we take pride in the name of the LORD our God." (CSB)

Illustration

Think about young David standing before Goliath.

From a human perspective, the battle was over before it began.

A teenage shepherd.

One sling.

Five stones.

Against a giant warrior covered in armor.

Everything favored Goliath.

Everything except one thing.

God was with David.

David understood where victory comes from.

He told Goliath,

"The battle belongs to the LORD."

That truth has never changed.

B. Human Plans Are Limited

Verse 17 continues,

"The horse is a false hope for safety."

In David's day, horses represented military superiority.

Owning horses meant strength.

Security.

Power.

Prestige.

Today our "horses" look different.

We trust economic prosperity.

Political influence.

Scientific advancement.

Military technology.

Retirement accounts.

Education.

None of those things are wrong.

They're blessings from God.

But they make terrible gods.

Anything we trust more than the Lord becomes an idol.

One of the greatest dangers of prosperity is that it quietly teaches us we don't really need God.

When life is comfortable, prayer often becomes casual.

When our bank accounts are full, dependence upon God can shrink.

When everything seems secure, we forget how desperately we need Him every single day.

Moses warned Israel about that very danger in Deuteronomy 8.

He said that after they became prosperous, they might begin saying,

"My power and my own ability have gained this wealth for me." (Deuteronomy 8:17, CSB)

Then Moses reminded them,

"But remember that the LORD your God gives you the power to gain wealth." (Deuteronomy 8:18, CSB)

Everything we have ultimately comes from Him.

Illustration

Several years ago, someone asked a famous evangelist what he thought America's greatest weakness was.

His answer surprised them.

He didn't mention another country.

He didn't mention politics.

He simply said,

"America has become so prosperous that many people no longer think they need God."

Prosperity is wonderful...

unless prosperity replaces dependence.

C. God's Power Is Limitless

Human strength has limits.

Human wisdom has limits.

Human resources have limits.

God has none.

Nothing surprises Him.

Nothing overwhelms Him.

Nothing exhausts Him.

Isaiah 40 asks,

"Do you not know? Have you not heard? The LORD is the everlasting God... He never becomes faint or weary." (CSB)

What a comfort that is.

The God who sustained Israel...

The God who strengthened David...

The God who raised Jesus from the dead...

Is the same God we worship today.

Church, our confidence has never rested in the strength of America.

Our confidence rests in the sovereignty of Almighty God.

That doesn't make us passive.

It makes us prayerful.

It reminds us that every blessing, every victory, every opportunity, and every moment of security ultimately comes from His gracious hand.

Application

As we celebrate America's 250th birthday, we certainly thank God for brave men and women who have defended our freedoms.

We thank God for wise leaders He has raised up throughout our history.

We thank God for the opportunities this nation has provided.

But we must never confuse the instruments of God's blessing with the Source of God's blessing.

If we place our confidence in anything other than the Lord, we are building on a foundation that cannot last.

Transition to Point III

David has shown us that blessing comes from honoring God and that strength comes from depending on God.

Now he turns our attention to the heart of every believer's confidence—not simply depending on God in difficult times, but living every day with a reverent trust in Him.

III. A Nation Finds Hope When It Fears the Lord

Psalm 33:18–19

After reminding us that armies cannot save and horses cannot guarantee victory, David now points us to where our confidence should be.

Read verses 18–19 again:

"But look, the LORD keeps his eye on those who fear him—those who depend on his faithful love to rescue them from death and to keep them alive in famine." (Psalm 33:18–19, CSB)

Notice how verse 18 begins.

"But look..."

In other words, David is saying, "Don't focus on armies. Don't focus on earthly power. Look instead at what God is doing."

The contrast is intentional.

The world says, "Trust what you can see."

God says, "Trust Me."

David tells us that God keeps His eye on those who fear Him.

What an incredible promise.

Think about that.

The Creator of the universe watches over His children.

He isn't distracted.

He isn't absent.

He isn't unaware.

He isn't too busy.

His loving attention is continually upon His people.

That doesn't mean Christians will never suffer.

It doesn't mean believers won't face hardship.

David himself knew suffering.

He had been hunted by Saul.

He had experienced betrayal.

He had buried loved ones.

He had endured personal failure.

Yet through it all, David learned this simple truth:

God never stopped watching over him.

The same God who watched over David is watching over His people today.

A. Reverence

The Bible says,

"The LORD keeps his eye on those who fear him..."

When many people hear the phrase "fear the Lord," they picture someone terrified of God.

But that's not what Scripture means.

To fear God is to stand in awe of Him.

It is to recognize His holiness.

It is to acknowledge His authority.

It is to submit your life to His will.

It is loving Him so deeply that you desire to obey Him.

The fear of the Lord is not the fear of a criminal before a judge.

It is the reverence of a child who deeply loves and respects his father.

Proverbs 9:10 reminds us,

"The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom." (CSB)

America does not simply need more education.

America needs more wisdom.

And wisdom begins with fearing God.

One reason our culture struggles so much today is because we've largely removed God from the center.

When people stop fearing God...

Truth becomes relative.

Morality becomes optional.

Self becomes supreme.

The fear of the Lord reminds us that we answer to Someone greater than ourselves.

Illustration

Imagine walking into the courtroom of a respected judge.

You don't act casually.

You don't ignore the rules.

You conduct yourself with respect because of who he is.

How much more should we approach the King of kings with reverence?

Sadly, we've become so casual with God that many people have forgotten His holiness.

Yes, God is our Father.

Yes, Jesus is our Friend.

But He is also the Holy God before whom angels cry,

"Holy, holy, holy."

The healthier our view of God's holiness becomes, the healthier our lives become.

Application

Ask yourself this morning:

Do I truly fear the Lord?

Do my decisions show reverence for Him?

Would someone watching my life conclude that Jesus is King?

Our nation needs Christians whose lives demonstrate what it means to honor God.

B. Reliance

Verse 18 continues,

"Those who depend on his faithful love..."

Notice what David does not say.

He doesn't say God watches over those who depend on themselves.

He doesn't say He watches over those who depend on wealth.

He doesn't say He watches over those who depend on governments.

He says God watches over those who depend upon His faithful love.

The Hebrew word describes God's covenant love.

His steadfast love.

His unfailing mercy.

His loyal faithfulness.

In other words, David's confidence wasn't based upon David's goodness.

His confidence rested in God's goodness.

That's the foundation of the Christian life.

If my salvation depended on my faithfulness, I would lose it.

If God's love depended on my performance, I would never have peace.

But praise God, His love rests upon His character—not mine.

Paul writes in Romans 5:8,

"But God proves his own love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us." (CSB)

Think about that.

God loved us before we loved Him.

God pursued us before we sought Him.

God remained faithful when we were unfaithful.

That is the faithful love David celebrates.

Illustration

One of the most comforting moments in a child's life is reaching for a parent's hand while crossing a busy street.

The child isn't trusting his own strength.

He's trusting someone stronger.

Church, that's the picture David gives us.

Every day we are walking through a dangerous world.

Our confidence isn't in our grip on God.

Our confidence is in His grip on us.

Jesus said,

"No one will snatch them out of my hand." (John 10:28, CSB)

That is our confidence.

C. Rescue

Verse 19 says,

"To rescue them from death and to keep them alive in famine."

David isn't promising believers a trouble-free life.

He's reminding us that God faithfully preserves His people according to His perfect will.

Sometimes God rescues us from the storm.

Sometimes He carries us through the storm.

But He never abandons us in the storm.

Psalm 46 reminds us,

"God is our refuge and strength, a helper who is always found in times of trouble." (CSB)

Notice the wording.

Not "sometimes found."

Always found.

History proves that.

God preserved Noah.

God protected Joseph.

God sustained Elijah.

God delivered Daniel.

God strengthened Paul.

And He continues to sustain His people today.

Historical Illustration

Think about the early days of our nation.

There were many moments when America's future appeared uncertain.

During the Revolutionary War, General George Washington and his troops endured an incredibly difficult winter at Valley Forge.

Many soldiers lacked adequate clothing.

Food was scarce.

Disease spread throughout the camp.

By every human measure, defeat seemed likely.

Yet those difficult months forged perseverance and resolve that would help carry the Continental Army forward.

Whether we are talking about a nation or an individual believer, history repeatedly reminds us that our greatest hope is not found in favorable circumstances but in God's sustaining grace.

Likewise, throughout American history, countless believers have testified that God's faithfulness—not merely favorable circumstances—carried them through wars, depressions, sickness, and personal tragedy.

Application

Some of you today aren't worried about America nearly as much as you're worried about your own family.

Your marriage is hurting.

Your health is uncertain.

Your children are struggling.

Your future seems unclear.

Hear David's words today.

God sees you.

God knows you.

God loves you.

God is faithful.

And whatever tomorrow brings, He will not stop being your refuge.

Transition

David has shown us that our hope is found in fearing the Lord.

Now he concludes this beautiful psalm by telling us what that hope produces.

It produces trust.

IV. A Nation Has a Future When It Trusts the Lord

Psalm 33:20–22

David closes the psalm with one of the most beautiful confessions of faith in all of Scripture.

"We wait for the LORD; he is our help and shield. For our hearts rejoice in him because we trust in his holy name. May your faithful love rest on us, LORD, for we put our hope in you." (Psalm 33:20–22, CSB)

Notice the repeated emphasis.

Wait.

Help.

Shield.

Rejoice.

Trust.

Hope.

Those are not words of panic.

Those are words of confidence.

The world is constantly searching for security.

David tells us where true security is found.

A. Waiting

David begins,

"We wait for the LORD..."

Waiting is one of the hardest disciplines in the Christian life.

We like immediate answers.

Immediate solutions.

Immediate results.

But God often develops our faith while we wait.

Waiting doesn't mean doing nothing.

Biblical waiting means trusting God's timing while remaining faithful.

Isaiah reminds us,

"But those who trust in the LORD will renew their strength..." (Isaiah 40:31, CSB)

As believers, we don't wait with anxiety.

We wait with expectancy.

Because we know Who holds the future.

Illustration

Farmers understand waiting.

After planting seed, they cannot rush the harvest.

They continue working.

They continue trusting.

They continue expecting.

Likewise, God's people continue serving while trusting His perfect timing.

B. Worshiping

David continues,

"For our hearts rejoice in him because we trust in his holy name."

Notice the order.

Trust produces joy.

Not circumstances.

Not possessions.

Not politics.

Trust.

The happiest Christians are not necessarily those with the easiest lives.

They're those whose confidence rests in God.

Habakkuk understood this.

Even if the crops failed...

Even if the livestock disappeared...

He declared,

"Yet I will celebrate in the LORD; I will rejoice in the God of my salvation!" (Habakkuk 3:18, CSB)

That is mature faith.

C. Witnessing

David ends with this prayer:

"May your faithful love rest on us, LORD, for we put our hope in you."

Hope isn't something we keep to ourselves.

Hope is something we display.

When the world sees believers who remain faithful during uncertainty...

Who remain joyful during hardship...

Who remain loving during division...

They see the difference Christ makes.

Church, one of the greatest ways we can love America is by faithfully living for Jesus.

Not simply by talking about our faith.

But by demonstrating it every day.

The darker the culture becomes, the brighter the light of Christ shines through His people.

Our calling has never changed.

Be faithful.

Love people.

Share the gospel.

Glorify Christ.

Transition to Conclusion (Part 4):

David has answered our question.

What makes a nation truly blessed?

Not wealth.

Not power.

Not influence.

A nation is blessed when its people honor God, depend on God, fear God, and trust God.

Conclusion

As we come to the end of Psalm 33, let's go back to where we began.

This weekend, America celebrates 250 years as a nation.

That is a remarkable milestone.

Few nations in history have experienced the longevity, influence, opportunity, and freedom that we have known.

We have much to celebrate.

We can celebrate the courage of those who signed the Declaration of Independence, knowing they were risking their lives.

We can celebrate the sacrifices of generations of soldiers who fought to preserve our freedoms.

We can celebrate the countless men and women who have served our communities, built businesses, taught children, cared for the sick, and invested in future generations.

We can celebrate the missionaries who have carried the gospel from America to the ends of the earth.

We can celebrate faithful churches that have preached the Word of God for generations.

There is nothing wrong with being thankful for our country.

In fact, gratitude is biblical.

But church, hear me carefully.

Patriotism is a wonderful thing.

It is just not the ultimate thing.

Our greatest allegiance is not to a flag.

Our greatest allegiance is not to a political party.

Our greatest allegiance is not even to a nation.

Our greatest allegiance is to Jesus Christ.

That doesn't make us love America less.

It enables us to love America rightly.

Because Christians understand something the world often forgets.

America is not our final home.

Paul reminds us in Philippians 3:20,

"Our citizenship is in heaven, and we eagerly wait for a Savior from there, the Lord Jesus Christ." (CSB)

That verse has become more precious to me over the years.

Every earthly nation has an expiration date.

Egypt rose...

and fell.

Babylon rose...

and fell.

Persia rose...

and fell.

Greece rose...

and fell.

Rome rose...

and fell.

History is filled with kingdoms that seemed invincible.

Yet every one of them eventually passed away.

One day America will no longer exist as we know it.

But there is one Kingdom that will never end.

The Kingdom of our Lord Jesus Christ.

Isaiah declared,

"The dominion will be vast, and its prosperity will never end." (Isaiah 9:7, CSB)

Jesus Himself said,

"I will build my church, and the gates of Hades will not overpower it." (Matthew 16:18, CSB)

Governments change.

Cultures change.

Economies change.

Generations change.

But Jesus Christ is

"the same yesterday, today, and forever." (Hebrews 13:8, CSB)

That is where our hope rests.

Bringing the Message Together

Today David has taught us four timeless truths.

A Nation Is Blessed When It Honors God.

Blessing doesn't begin in the White House.

It begins in the throne room of heaven.

God is still King.

He is still sovereign.

He is still worthy of our worship.

A Nation Is Strong When It Depends on God.

Our greatest security has never been found in military power or economic success.

Our greatest strength has always been the Lord.

Psalm 20:7 reminds us,

"Some take pride in chariots, and others in horses, but we take pride in the name of the LORD our God." (CSB)

A Nation Finds Hope When It Fears the Lord.

A healthy fear of God leads to wisdom.

It produces obedience.

It produces humility.

It produces faithful living.

A Nation Has a Future When It Trusts the Lord.

No matter what tomorrow holds...

God remains faithful.

He has never abandoned His people.

He never will.

What Do I Do?

1. Thank God for His Blessings.

Before you criticize your country...

Thank God for it.

Thank Him for the freedoms we enjoy.

Thank Him for His protection.

Thank Him for the privilege of gathering in worship today.

Gratitude changes the heart.

A complaining spirit focuses on what's missing.

A grateful spirit remembers what God has provided.

2. Pray for America.

Paul writes in 1 Timothy 2:1–2,

"First of all, then, I urge that petitions, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings be made for everyone, for kings and all those who are in authority..." (CSB)

Notice Paul didn't say to pray only for leaders you agree with.

He simply said to pray.

Our nation doesn't merely need better politics.

Our nation needs the blessing of God.

Prayer is one of the greatest expressions of faith.

Imagine what could happen if every Christian in America prayed as faithfully as they complain.

Revival has always been preceded by prayer.

3. Live Like Jesus Every Day.

America does not need Christians who only speak about truth.

America needs Christians who live the truth.

Love your neighbors.

Keep your word.

Be honest in business.

Forgive those who hurt you.

Raise your children to know Christ.

Serve your church faithfully.

Be generous.

Be kind.

Be holy.

Jesus called us to be salt and light.

Darkness is never overcome by arguing with it.

Darkness is overcome by shining the light of Christ.

4. Share the Gospel.

Political freedom is a tremendous blessing.

But political freedom cannot save a soul.

The greatest gift we can give our nation is not merely preserving liberty.

It is proclaiming the gospel.

Every person you meet has an eternal destination.

That coworker.

That neighbor.

That family member.

That cashier.

That friend.

They need Jesus.

If America experiences another great spiritual awakening, it won't happen because politicians change.

It will happen because God's people faithfully share the good news of Jesus Christ.

Church, the mission has never changed.

Make disciples.

Preach the gospel.

Love people.

Glorify Christ.

Final Illustration

Many years ago, a little boy watched a Fourth of July parade with his grandfather.

He loved the bands.

He loved the veterans.

He loved the American flags lining the streets.

As they walked home, the little boy asked,

"Grandpa, what makes America so special?"

The grandfather thought for a moment before answering.

He said,

"Son, America isn't special because we've never made mistakes.

America is special because, again and again, God has been gracious to us.

And if we ever forget Him, we'll lose the very foundation that made us strong."

Church, I believe that's true.

Not because America has a special covenant with God.

But because every people who ignore God eventually discover they cannot flourish apart from Him.

The greatest need of our nation is not simply economic renewal.

Not political renewal.

Not educational renewal.

Our greatest need is spiritual renewal.

And spiritual renewal begins with God's people.

It begins with us.

Invitation

As our musicians come this morning, I want to ask you three simple questions.

First...

Are you thankful?

Perhaps today you simply need to come to this altar and thank God.

Thank Him for His grace.

Thank Him for your family.

Thank Him for your church.

Thank Him for the freedoms we often take for granted.

Gratitude is an act of worship.

Second...

Are you burdened?

Perhaps you're concerned about the direction of our nation.

You're concerned about your grandchildren.

You're concerned about the future.

Bring those burdens to the Lord.

This altar is not just for people with personal struggles.

It's also a place where God's people intercede for their nation.

Wouldn't it be a wonderful testimony if, on America's 250th birthday weekend, this church was filled with people praying for revival?

Not merely revival in Washington.

Revival in our own hearts.

Revival in our homes.

Revival in our church.

Revival in our community.

Because every great awakening in history has begun when God's people humbled themselves before Him.

Third...

Have you experienced true freedom?

Today we've talked about political freedom.

We're thankful for it.

But political freedom cannot remove your sin.

Political freedom cannot forgive your past.

Political freedom cannot guarantee heaven.

Only Jesus Christ can do that.

Jesus said,

"So if the Son sets you free, you really will be free." (John 8:36, CSB)

You can live in the freest nation on earth...

and still be enslaved by sin.

You can wave an American flag...

and still miss heaven.

The freedom Jesus offers is greater than any freedom a government can provide.

He died on the cross for your sins.

He was buried.

He rose again on the third day.

And today He offers forgiveness and eternal life to everyone who repents and believes.

If you've never trusted Christ, today is the day.

Come to Him.

He will save you.

He will forgive you.

He will make you a new creation.

Closing Challenge

As we celebrate America's 250th birthday this week...

Fly your flag.

Enjoy the fireworks.

Spend time with your family.

Thank God for our veterans.

Celebrate the freedoms we've been given.

But above all...

Honor the Lord.

Because the hope of America has never rested in America's greatness.

The hope of America has always rested in the greatness of God.

May it be said of Union Baptist Church that we were people who loved our country, prayed for our leaders, served our neighbors, proclaimed the gospel, and lived every day under the lordship of Jesus Christ.

"Happy is the nation whose God is the LORD..." (Psalm 33:12, CSB)

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