God & Country: What Does the Bible Say?

American, Flag, Usa, United States, Freedom, Democracy

Proverbs 14:34 The Message
God-devotion makes a country strong;
God-avoidance leaves people weak.

On July 4, 1776, the Bible tells us God determined a new nation would arise. He also determined that nation’s boundaries.

Acts 17:26-27 New Living Translation (NLT)

From one man He created all the nations throughout the whole earth. He decided beforehand when they should rise and fall, and He determined their boundaries.”

Why?

“His purpose was for the nations [for each individual person living in those nations] to seek after God and perhaps feel their way toward him and find him—though He is not far from any one of us.”

The Word tells us God wants us to find Him and know Him personally. No matter where we live, He’s not far from any of us.

The Word also tells us…

Psalm 113:4 New International Version (NIV)

“The Lord is exalted over all the nations…”

Psalm 47:7-9 New Living Translation (NLT)

 “For God is the King over all the earth…
    God reigns above the nations,
    sitting on His holy throne.
…For all the kings of the earth belong to God.”

But one distinction causes a nation to stand out in God’s eyes above all others…

Psalm 33:12 New International Version (NIV), “What joy for the nation whose God is the Lord…”

Today, it’s not politically expedient for our leaders to proclaim and live this statement. For the sake of inclusion and political correctness, we are often called to acquiesce when it comes to our faith and instead accept and approve all faiths without objection.

But this Scripture tells us that only the nation whose God is the Lord will be blessed. The Bible also says:

Proverbs 14:34 The Message (MSG)

“God-devotion makes a country strong;
God-avoidance leaves people weak.”

Mark 3:24 New Living Translation (NLT)

“A kingdom divided by civil war will collapse.”

We must be careful sweet Christ-follower friends and pray for protection. Do not be deceived into forgetting that our first loyalty is to Jesus and His Word – not civil religion.

I’ll close with these words: Philippians 1:9-10 (NLT)

“I pray that your love will overflow more and more, and that you will keep on growing in knowledge and understanding. For I want you to understand what really matters, so that you may live pure and blameless lives until the day of Christ’s return.”

Author: Tara