I heard on the news that this year’s presidential race is causing a lot of stress and anxiety among voters—on both sides. Not surprising, is it?
Hilary haters on one side, Trump attackers on the other, we are being bombarded with tedious, tiresome attacks and counter attacks. Whose going to win?
Voters are worried even fearful, dreading the possibility that “the other side” may win this election.
So, to those of you who are my fellow Christians, I ask you this: what do we mean when we invoke God’s blessing upon the United States, by saying, “God bless America”? And exactly why do we assume that God should, would, or will bless America?
And why do we invoke this blessing of America as if WE are the only “Christian” nation worthy of God’s blessing?
According to an article in The Telegraph, “The number of Christians in Communist china is growing so steadily that it [sic] by 2030 it could have more churchgoers than America.” Thus, by that standard, shouldn’t the new Christian mantra become, “God bless China”? (See: http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/asia/china/10776023/China-on-course-to-become-worlds-most-Christian-nation-within-15-years.html.)
So what is God’s perspective on the matter? Psalms 33 gives us a glimpse.
Firstly, God is a God of righteousness and justice and expects as much from peoples of any and every nation: “For the word of the Lord is upright and all His work is done in faithfulness. He loves righteousness and justice; the earth is full of the steadfast love of the Lord” (vv. 4-5).
Secondly, God calls all people/nations of the world to stand in awe of him: “Let all the earth fear the Lord; let all the inhabitants of the world stand in awe of Him (v. 8).” God is to be honored, revered and respected as the holy, just, and righteous God that he is, by every nation.
Thirdly, God providentially oversees the destiny of ALL nations: “The Lord brings the counsel of the nations to nothing; he frustrates the plans of the peoples. The counsel of the Lord stands forever, the thoughts of his heart to all generations (vv. 10-11).” God favors no nation above any other nation; but for number four below….
Fourthly, only one group of people on earth has ever specifically been regarded by God as His Chosen People: “Happy is the nation whose God is the Lord, the people he has chosen as his heritage (v. 12).” In the context of Psalm 33, “his [God’s] heritage” is none other than the Kingdom of Israel whose everlasting King is the Son of David, heir to the everlasting throne of King David of ancient Israel.
Fifthly, as to all other nations on earth, they are to seek God’s blessing by trusting in his sovereignty over them, and NOT in their own power and strength: “The Lord looks down from heaven; he sees all humankind (v. 13).” “A king is not saved by his great army; a warrior is not delivered by his great strength. The war horse is a vain hope for victory, and by its great might it cannot save. Truly the eye of the Lord is on those who fear him, on those who hope in his steadfast love, to deliver their soul from death, and to keep them alive in famine (vv. 16-19).”
In conclusion, it is NOT a political victory that is required in order to bring peace, prosperity, and a prospective future to America. Nor is it in the strengthening of our military might or in the enlargement of our police force—as if becoming a Police State is the answer to our wanting of peace and order.
No, the answer is this: “Our soul waits for the Lord; he is our help and our shield. Our heart is glad in him, because we trust in his holy name. Let your steadfast love, O Lord, be upon us, even as we hope in you (vv. 20-22).”
In short, we can NOT possibly win over a people by means of political power-struggles and political manipulation, by force and control. All we can and should do is invite hearts to believe in and trust in a Sovereign and Holy God who is also loving and compassionate, a God of mercy and grace who seeks to heal the hurting and to redeem the outcast, the lost, the rejected, and those who are oppressed and hard-pressed by the cruelties of the world. For peace will come in no other way than the Way of Christ.
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