One Nation, Under God?

Faith, Nation, and Hope

Independence Day / America’s 250th Birthday

Big Idea

Our hope is not in the strength of a nation, but in the Lord who rules over all nations.

Introduction

This week, our nation celebrates Independence Day.

But this is not just any Fourth of July.

This year marks our nation’s 250th birthday. Two hundred and fifty years ago, on July 4, 1776, the Declaration of Independence was adopted. That moment did not create a perfect nation. It did not create a sinless nation. It did not create a nation without struggle, division, injustice, failure, or need for repentance. But it did mark the beginning of a nation built around some powerful ideals: liberty, responsibility, human dignity, self-government, and freedom.

For 250 years, America has experienced blessings that many people throughout history could hardly imagine.

We have known freedom of worship. We have known freedom of speech. We have known the ability to gather as a church, pray openly, preach the gospel, send missionaries, plant churches, serve our communities, and open the Word of God freely.

We should not take that lightly.

We should be thankful.

We should be grateful for those who sacrificed. We should be grateful for those who served. We should be grateful for those who protected freedoms we enjoy today. We should be grateful for the ability to sit in this room, open a Bible, and preach Christ without fear.

Many believers around the world do not have that freedom.

So today is a fitting time to thank God.

But as Christians, a milestone like this should also make us think carefully. A nation’s birthday is not only a time to celebrate where we have been. It is also a time to ask where we are going.

Two hundred and fifty years in, we need to ask some honest questions:

What kind of nation are we becoming?

What kind of people are we becoming?

What are we passing to the next generation?

The title of today’s message is a question:

One Nation, Under God?

That question matters.

It is easy to say “under God” in a pledge. It is harder to live under God in our hearts.

It is easy to print “In God We Trust” on money. It is harder to actually trust God with our lives.

It is easy to sing “God Bless America.” It is harder to say, “America must bow before God.”

It is easy to want God’s blessings. It is harder to submit to God’s Lordship.

So today, as we think about America’s 250th birthday, we do not come with arrogance. We do not come with blind pride. We do not come with despair either.

We come with gratitude and humility.

We come with repentance and prayer.

And most of all, we come with hope.

Not hope in Washington.

Not hope in military strength.

Not hope in political parties.

Not hope in elections.

Not hope in the economy.

Our hope is in the Lord.

Psalm 33 speaks directly to nations, rulers, armies, strength, power, fear, hope, and the Lord. It reminds us that nations rise and fall, but the Lord reigns forever. It reminds us that military strength, political power, and human planning are never enough. It reminds us that the eyes of the Lord are on those who fear Him and hope in His unfailing love.

So on America’s 250th birthday, we do not merely ask, “Is America one nation under God?”

We ask:

Are we living under God?

Is my home, our church, and our hopes under God?

The greatest need of any nation is not simply patriotism.

The greatest need of any nation is the Lord.

Context

Psalm 33 is a psalm of praise.

It begins by calling God’s people to sing joyfully to the Lord. The psalm celebrates God as Creator, Ruler, Judge, Defender, and Deliverer.

The first half of the psalm focuses on the power of God’s Word. By the word of the Lord, the heavens were made. God spoke creation into existence. God gathers the waters. God frustrates the plans of the nations. God’s purposes stand forever.

Then, in verses 12-22, the psalm turns more directly to nations and people.

It speaks of the blessed nation whose God is the Lord.

It speaks of the Lord looking down from heaven and seeing all humanity.

It speaks of kings, armies, warriors, and horses.

It reminds us that human strength cannot save.

Then it closes with hope.

The eyes of the Lord are on those who fear Him.

The Lord delivers.

The Lord helps.

The Lord shields.

The Lord’s unfailing love rests on those who hope in Him.

That makes this psalm especially fitting for a national milestone.

When a nation reaches 250 years, it is natural to look back. We look back at history. We look back at sacrifice. We look back at wars, struggles, revivals, failures, progress, and blessings.

But Psalm 33 teaches us to look higher.

It lifts our eyes above history to the God who rules over history.

Psalm 33:10 says the Lord foils the plans of the nations.

Psalm 33:11 says the plans of the Lord stand firm forever.

That means no nation is ultimate.

No government is ultimate.

No army is ultimate.

No leader is ultimate.

No political movement is ultimate.

Only the Lord is ultimate.

That does not make us less grateful for our country. It makes our gratitude more biblical. We can thank God for America without treating America as God. We can honor our nation without placing our hope in our nation. We can celebrate freedom without forgetting that true freedom is found in Christ. We can love our country while remembering that our highest citizenship is in heaven.

Philippians 3:20 reminds us that our citizenship is in heaven.

So today, Psalm 33 calls us to think biblically about our nation.

It calls us to gratitude without idolatry.

Patriotism without pride.

Concern without panic.

Citizenship without compromise.

Hope without confusion.

Trusted Christian voices have helped the church think about these things. Al Mohler often reminds Christians that our public witness must be shaped by biblical truth and not cultural pressure or political convenience. John MacArthur has often warned that no nation is secure when it rejects the Lord, because no amount of power can substitute for righteousness. Spurgeon, preaching often from the Psalms, continually pointed God’s people away from confidence in human strength and toward trust in the sovereign mercy of God.

That is exactly where Psalm 33 takes us.

It does not call us to panic.

It does not call us to pride.

It calls us to worship, humility, repentance, and hope.

Scripture

Psalm 33:12–22 NIV

Blessed is the nation whose God is the Lord, the people he chose for his inheritance. From heaven the Lord looks down and sees all mankind; from his dwelling place he watches all who live on earth—he who forms the hearts of all, who considers everything they do. No king is saved by the size of his army; no warrior escapes by his great strength. A horse is a vain hope for deliverance; despite all its great strength it cannot save. But the eyes of the Lord are on those who fear him, on those whose hope is in his unfailing love, to deliver them from death and keep them alive in famine. We wait in hope for the Lord; he is our help and our shield. In him our hearts rejoice, for we trust in his holy name. May your unfailing love be with us, Lord, even as we put our hope in you.

Sermon Setup

This morning, we will examine three truths from this passage.

These truths help us understand how Christians should think about faith, nation, and hope.

First, we must remember the blessing.

Second, we must reject false security.

Third, we must rest in the Lord.

Remember the blessing.

Reject false security.

Rest in the Lord.

1. Remember the Blessing

Main Text

Psalm 33:12 “Blessed is the nation whose God is the Lord, the people he chose for his inheritance.”

Explanation

The verse begins with blessing.

Not a political, economic, or military blessing first.

A Spiritual blessing.

A nation is blessed when God is honored as Lord.

Now we need to read that carefully. In the immediate context, this verse speaks uniquely of Israel as the people God chose for His inheritance. Israel was God’s covenant nation in a special way.

America is not Israel.

The United States is not God’s covenant nation in the same way Israel was.

The church is not a political nation.

The kingdom of God is not limited to one earthly country.

That matters because we do not want to misuse the Bible or force America into promises God specifically gave to Israel.

But the principle still stands.

Any people are blessed when they honor the Lord.

Any nation is helped by righteousness.

Any society is strengthened when truth, justice, humility, and reverence for God are valued.

Proverbs 14:34 says, “Righteousness exalts a nation, but sin condemns any people.”

That is not hard to understand.

A nation cannot reject God’s truth and expect God’s blessing forever.

A people cannot celebrate sin and expect spiritual health.

A culture cannot abandon righteousness and expect peace.

Blessing is tied to honoring the Lord.

Theological Insight

Psalm 33:12 is not a slogan to be used lightly.

It is not a patriotic decoration.

It is a spiritual reality.

Blessed is the nation whose God is the Lord.

Not the nation that merely says the name of God.

Not the nation that prints religious language.

Not the nation that remembers God only during tragedy.

Not the nation that wants God’s gifts but rejects God’s commands.

The blessing is for the people whose God is the Lord.

That means submission, worship, and obedience.

Deuteronomy 8 is a helpful warning here. God warned Israel that when they entered the land and enjoyed prosperity, they must not forget the Lord. They must not eat and be satisfied, build fine houses, grow wealthy, and then say, “My power and the strength of my hands have produced this wealth for me.”

The warning is clear.

Prosperity can become dangerous when it leads to pride.

Freedom can become dangerous when it leads to forgetfulness.

James 1:17 reminds us that every good and perfect gift is from above.

So as Christians, especially on Independence Day, we should be thankful. We should be grateful for every good gift God has given. But gratitude must lead to worship, not pride. Gratitude must lead to obedience, not self-sufficiency.

Meaning

On a 250th birthday, it is right to remember the blessings.

We should remember that religious liberty is a gift.

We should remember that living in a place where churches can worship, minister, and proclaim Christ openly is a gift.

But Psalm 33:12 reminds us that blessing all come from the Lord

The danger of any nation that has enjoyed freedom for a long time is that freedom can become familiar.

Familiarity can become entitlement.

Entitlement can become pride.

Pride can become forgetfulness.

And forgetfulness can become rebellion.

So as we celebrate 250 years, we should say:

Lord, thank You, we will never forget You, we will honor You.

This verse challenges both national pride and national despair.

It challenges national pride because it reminds us that blessing comes from God. We did not create our own blessings apart from Him. We are not strong enough, smart enough, or righteous enough to secure ourselves.

Anything good we have is a gift from God.

But it also challenges national despair because it reminds us that God still blesses people who honor Him.

The future of a nation is not ultimately held by politicians, judges, parties, or polls. The future is in the hands of God.

That does not mean Christians should be passive.

We should vote wisely.

We should speak truth.

We should serve faithfully.

We should love our neighbors.

We should defend life.

We should care for the vulnerable.

We should be good citizens.

We should pray for those in authority, as 1 Timothy 2 teaches.

But we must remember that the deepest need of any nation is spiritual.

America’s greatest need is not merely better policies.

America’s greatest need is repentance before God.

Moral ambiguity riddles our nation today

America’s greatest need is the gospel of Jesus Christ.

The same is true for Hartwell.

The same is true for our families.

The same is true for Sardis Baptist Church.

We need the Lord.

Application

So we need to ask:

Do we pray for our nation with humility?

Do we grieve over sin, or only complain about culture?

Do we model righteousness in our own lives?

It is easy to talk about what is wrong “out there.”

It is easy to talk about Washington, the news, and what is wrong with the next generation.

It is easy to talk about culture.

But revival never begins with finger-pointing.

Revival begins with humility before God.

2 Chronicles 7:14 was spoken to Israel in a specific covenant context, so we should not apply it carelessly as if America is Israel. But the principle of humble repentance is consistent throughout Scripture.

God’s people must humble themselves, pray, turn from sin, and seek Him.

So yes, we should pray for America.

We should pray for our leaders, churches, schools, families, and community.

But we must also pray, “Lord, begin with me.”

Before we ask whether America is under God, we should ask:

Are we, and all we have Under God?

It becomes personal.

Because a nation is made of people.

A community is made of homes.

A church is made of members.

If we want to see a nation honor the Lord, we must begin by honoring Him ourselves.

Sardis Application

This matters for Sardis Baptist Church.

We have been given a place in this community. We have history. We have opportunities. We have open doors. We have families, children, students, senior adults, neighbors, and friends around us who need Christ.

God has not placed us here simply to preserve a building.

He has placed us here to be a witness.

Our motto says:

Love God.

Serve Others.

Share the Good News.

That is how a church remembers the blessing rightly.

We love God because He is worthy.

We serve others because Christ served us.

We share the good news because the gospel is the only hope for sinners.

If we want to serve our nation well, we must be a faithful church right here.

A praying church.

A holy church.

A gospel-centered church.

A disciple-making church.

A church that does not merely talk about the problems in the world, but shines the light of Christ in the world.

Transition

But Psalm 33 does not only tell us where blessing comes from.

It also warns us where security does not come from.

We must remember the blessing.

Second, we must reject false security.

2. Reject False Security

Explanation

Psalm 33:13 says, “From heaven the LORD looks down and sees all mankind.”

God sees every nation, every leader, every army, every citizen, and every heart.

Verse 15 says He forms the hearts of all and considers everything they do.

That means nothing is hidden from God.

A nation may impress the world, but it cannot fool God.

A leader may persuade people, but he cannot deceive God.

A people may appear strong outwardly, but God sees the heart.

Then the psalm gives a warning.

No king is saved by the size of his army.

No warrior escapes by his great strength.

A horse is a vain hope for deliverance.

In the ancient world, armies and horses represented military power. They were signs of strength, security, and national defense.

The psalm is not saying armies are unnecessary.

It is not saying strength is evil.

It is not saying leaders should be careless.

It is not saying a nation should be defenseless.

It is saying human strength is not ultimate.

A nation cannot be saved by power alone.

A people cannot be rescued by resources alone.

A person cannot be secure through earthly strength alone.

Theological Insight

Scripture repeatedly warns against trusting in human strength.

Psalm 20:7 says, “Some trust in chariots and some in horses, but we trust in the name of the LORD our God.”

Isaiah 31:1 warns those who go down to Egypt for help, relying on horses and chariots but not looking to the Holy One of Israel.

Jeremiah 17 says cursed is the one who trusts in man and draws strength from mere flesh, but blessed is the one who trusts in the Lord.

Proverbs 21:31 says, “The horse is made ready for the day of battle, but victory rests with the LORD.”

The Bible does not condemn preparation.

It condemns misplaced trust.

There is a difference between using means wisely and trusting means ultimately.

We can be thankful for military service and still know that armies cannot save souls.

We can participate in government and still know that government cannot redeem sinners.

We can work hard and still know that money cannot secure eternity.

We can make plans and still know that God directs our steps.

We can appreciate freedom and still know that freedom without righteousness destroys itself.

Zechariah 4:6 says, “Not by might nor by power, but by my Spirit,” says the LORD Almighty.

That is true for individuals.

It is true for nations.

It is true for churches.

It is true for families.

Human strength is never enough.

Meaning

This is a needed word for our time.

People are looking for security everywhere.

Some look for security in politics. If their candidate wins, they feel hope. If their candidate loses, they feel despair.

Some look for security in the economy. If the market is strong, they feel peace. If prices rise, they panic.

Some look for security in military strength.

Some look for security in technology.

Some look for security in personal freedom.

Some look for security in family, health, savings, or status.

But Psalm 33 reminds us that every earthly security is limited.

Armies can fail.

Economies can shake.

Leaders can disappoint.

Nations can change.

Health can decline.

Money can disappear.

Plans can fall apart.

But the Lord remains.

Two hundred and fifty years is a long time in the life of a nation.

But it is not long compared to eternity.

Nations that once seemed unstoppable now exist only in history books.

Empires have risen and fallen.

Kings have come and gone.

Armies have won and lost.

Economies have risen and collapsed.

Cultures have changed.

Borders have shifted.

But the Lord remains.

That should humble us.

America has been blessed, but America is not untouchable.

We can sense that in our society today, so much looks different than it did even when I was younger.

America has freedoms, but freedom without righteousness cannot sustain a people forever.

Application

Where are we tempted to place our trust?

Do we trust in political power more than prayer?

Do we trust in money more than God’s provision?

Do we trust in comfort more than obedience?

Do we trust in our own strength more than the Lord?

This matters for our nation.

But it also matters for our church.

A church can trust in buildings, budgets, history, traditions, talents, and personalities.

Those things may be useful, but they cannot produce spiritual life.

Only God can save, revive, transform hearts, build His church, and save our nation

Sardis does not need to be a church that trusts in yesterday.

Sardis must be a church that trusts in the Lord today.

We thank God for the past.

We honor faithful saints who came before us.

We appreciate the heritage of this church.

But our hope is not in the past.

Our hope is not in ourselves.

Our hope is not in human strength.

Our hope is in the Lord.

A Needed Warning

We must not confuse the flag with the cross.

We must not confuse American freedom with salvation.

We must not confuse constitutional rights with spiritual life.

We must not confuse moral conservatism with the gospel.

We must not confuse church attendance with regeneration.

We must not confuse national heritage with personal holiness.

America may have religious language in its history, but religious language cannot save.

Our relationship with the Lord must guide us in all of these areas. The structure we are blessed to live in come from men believing in religious freedom and desiring that for all people. But the people make up the country, and how we live our lives, what we value, what we worship will guide our society. Washington is a reflection of the soul of the nation. Washington will not save us.

Only Jesus saves.

We have churches on many corners, but church buildings cannot save.

Only Jesus saves.

Our families may have Christian values, but values cannot save.

Only Jesus saves.

That is why our message to the nation must be more than “return to values.”

Our message must be “repent and believe the gospel.”

Because morality without Christ may improve behavior for a season, but it cannot raise the dead heart.

The gospel is not merely good advice for the nation.

It is good news for sinners.

Transition

Psalm 33 warns us not to place our confidence in earthly strength.

But it does not leave us hopeless.

We reject false security so that we can rest in the Lord.

3. Rest in the Lord

Explanation

Psalm 33:18 begins with hope:

“But the eyes of the LORD are on those who fear him, on those whose hope is in his unfailing love.”

That word “but” is important.

Human strength cannot save, but the Lord can.

Armies are not ultimate, but the Lord is.

Horses are a vain hope, but the Lord’s unfailing love is not.

God sees those who fear Him.

God watches over those who hope in Him.

God delivers.

God keeps alive.

God helps.

God shields.

The psalm ends with a beautiful confession:

We wait in hope for the Lord.

He is our help and our shield.

In Him our hearts rejoice.

We trust in His holy name.

May Your unfailing love be with us, Lord, even as we put our hope in You.

That is where the psalm lands.

Not in fear.

Not in pride.

Not in despair.

Hope.

Theological Insight

The hope of God’s people is rooted in the character of God.

Verse 18 speaks of His unfailing love.

That is covenant love.

Steadfast love.

Loyal love.

Faithful love.

God’s people do not hope in wishful thinking.

We hope in the Lord’s proven character.

Psalm 46 says God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble.

Psalm 121 says our help comes from the Lord, the Maker of heaven and earth.

Lamentations 3 says the steadfast love of the Lord never ceases and His mercies are new every morning.

Romans 8 reminds us that nothing can separate believers from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.

That is why Christians can live with confidence in uncertain times.

Our confidence is not that everything in the nation will go the way we want.

Our confidence is that God is still God.

Our confidence is not that culture will become more Christian.

Our confidence is that Christ is still Lord.

Our confidence is not that earthly kingdoms will last.

Our confidence is that the kingdom of God cannot be shaken.

Meaning

Resting in the Lord does not mean we stop caring.

It does not mean we stop praying.

It does not mean we stop working for what is right.

It does not mean we disengage from the world.

It does not mean we shrug at sin, injustice, or suffering.

Resting in the Lord means we refuse to live in panic.

We refuse to let fear disciple us.

We refuse to let outrage rule us.

We refuse to let the world steal our hope.

We wait in hope for the Lord.

We trust His holy name.

We rejoice in Him.

We ask for His unfailing love to rest on us.

That is what the church must model in an anxious world.

The world does not need Christians who are constantly angry, fearful, and hopeless.

The world needs Christians who are truthful, courageous, humble, prayerful, and hopeful.

We can speak truth without hatred.

We can love our country without worshiping it.

We can grieve sin without giving up hope.

We can work for good without trusting in human strength.

We can face uncertain days because our God is certain.

Application

As America turns 250, Sardis Baptist Church has an opportunity.

We cannot control everything happening in the nation.

We cannot fix every problem in Washington.

We cannot change every heart in America.

But we can be faithful right here.

We can be a praying church.

We can be a gospel-preaching church.

We can be a disciple-making church.

We can be a church that loves God, serves others, and shares the good news.

We can teach our children that freedom is a gift, but Christ is greater.

We can teach our students that citizenship matters, but heavenly citizenship matters most.

We can teach our families to pray for our nation without placing ultimate hope in our nation.

We can serve Hartwell with humility.

We can stand for truth with grace.

We can love our neighbors.

We can share the gospel.

We can point people to Jesus.

That is how the church serves a nation best.

Not by becoming a political club.

Not by baptizing every cultural cause.

Not by confusing the flag with the cross.

But by being faithful witnesses to the risen Christ.

Sardis Application

Our motto says:

Love God.

Serve Others.

Share the Good News.

That is not just a nice phrase. That is a vision for faithfulness.

Love God more than country, comfort, party, preference, or tradition.

Serve others even when the world says to serve yourself.

Share the good news because the gospel is still the power of God for salvation.

We are not called to save America.

We are called to be faithful witnesses to Jesus Christ.

And as we are faithful, we pray that God would bring repentance, revival, and renewal.

This is what our community needs from us.

Not panic.

Not cynicism.

Not political idolatry.

Not silence.

Not compromise.

Hartwell needs a church that believes the Bible, loves people, serves faithfully, and shares Jesus.

Our children need to see that our hope is not determined by the headlines.

Our families need to see that faith in Christ shapes how we live.

Our neighbors need to see Christians who are humble, truthful, joyful, and hopeful.

Our nation needs churches that are more committed to the gospel than to comfort.

And Sardis can be that kind of church by the grace of God.

Pastoral Challenge

Pray Psalm 33:20-22 this week.

Make it personal:

Lord, I wait in hope for You.

You are my help and shield.

My heart rejoices in You.

I trust in Your holy name.

Let Your unfailing love be with me as I put my hope in You.

Pray it for your family.

Pray it for Sardis.

Pray it for our nation.

Rest in the Lord.

Transition

We have seen three truths:

Remember the blessing.

Reject false security.

Rest in the Lord.

But the only way sinners can truly rest in the Lord is through Jesus Christ.

Christ Connection

Psalm 33 points us to the Lord as Creator, Ruler, Judge, Helper, Shield, and Hope.

But the fullest revelation of God’s help and unfailing love is found in Jesus Christ.

Our nation needs righteousness, but we are sinners.

Our nation needs truth, but we often love lies.

Our nation needs justice, but we are often unjust.

Our nation needs revival, but revival begins with people being made alive in Christ.

The greatest problem in America is not merely political.

It is spiritual.

The greatest problem in every human heart is sin.

Romans 3:23 says all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.

Romans 6:23 says the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.

Romans 5:8 says God demonstrates His love for us in this: while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.

Jesus is the true King.

Jesus is the righteous One.

Jesus is the Savior.

Jesus is the hope of the nations.

Revelation 7 gives us a picture of people from every nation, tribe, people, and language standing before the throne and before the Lamb.

That is where history is headed.

Not one earthly nation replacing God’s kingdom.

But people from all nations worshiping the Lamb.

Jesus died for sinners.

Jesus rose from the grave.

Jesus reigns now.

Jesus will return.

And every nation will bow before Him.

Philippians 2 says every knee will bow and every tongue acknowledge that Jesus Christ is Lord.

So our hope is not ultimately that America would be great in the eyes of the world.

Our prayer is that people in America would bow before Jesus Christ as Lord.

Our hope is not in the flag.

Our hope is in the cross.

Our hope is not in earthly power.

Our hope is in the risen Savior.

Our hope is not in the strength of a nation.

Our hope is in the Lord who rules over all nations.

And that means the invitation today is not simply, “Be a better American.”

The invitation is, “Come to Christ.”

Turn from sin.

Trust in Jesus.

Receive the forgiveness only He can give.

Find the freedom only He can provide.

Because national freedom is a blessing, but spiritual freedom is eternal.

John 8:36 says, “If the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed.”

That is the freedom every person needs most.

Conclusion

So, one nation, under God?

On America’s 250th birthday, that is a question worth asking.

But it is not a question we should only ask about people out there.

It is a question we must ask ourselves.

Are we under God?

Are our hearts under God?

Are our homes under God?

Is Sardis Baptist Church under God?

Are our priorities under God?

Are our hopes under God?

Psalm 33 calls us to:

Remember the blessing.

Reject false security.

Rest in the Lord.

Be thankful for America.

Pray for America.

Serve your community.

Honor those who have served and sacrificed.

Be a good citizen.

Teach the next generation to be grateful.

Use your freedoms for the glory of God.

But never forget:

Nations rise and fall.

Leaders come and go.

Armies win and lose.

Economies rise and sink.

Cultures shift and change.

But the Lord reigns forever.

Two hundred and fifty years is a milestone.

But eternity is greater.

National freedom is a blessing.

But freedom in Christ is greater.

Earthly citizenship matters.

But heavenly citizenship matters more.

The flag is worth honoring.

But the cross is our only hope.

So let us put our hope where it belongs.

Not in human strength.

Not in national pride.

Not in political power.

Not in earthly security.

But in the unfailing love of the Lord.

As Psalm 33 closes:

We wait in hope for the Lord.

He is our help and our shield.

In Him our hearts rejoice.

We trust in His holy name.

May His unfailing love be with us, even as we put our hope in Him.

Church, on this 250th birthday of our nation, let us be grateful.

Let us be humble.

Let us be prayerful.

Let us be faithful.

And let us be clear:

Our hope is not in the strength of a nation, but in the Lord who rules over all nations.

Optional Closing Prayer

Father, thank You for every blessing You have given us.

Thank You for the freedoms we enjoy and for those who have sacrificed for them.

Thank You for 250 years of history, provision, mercy, and opportunity.

Forgive us for the times we have trusted in human strength more than in You.

Forgive our nation for sin, pride, injustice, and rebellion against Your Word.

Forgive us personally where our hearts have not been submitted to You.

Begin revival in us.

Teach us to remember Your blessings, reject false security, and rest in You.

Help Sardis Baptist Church be faithful in this community.

May we love You, serve others, and share the good news with boldness and humility.

Thank You for Jesus, the true King and Savior.

May our hope always be in Him.

In Jesus’ name, amen.