Living In A God-Blessed Nation

LIVING IN A GOD BLESSED-NATION

This past week we celebrated the birthday of our country. I guess because of that, I have received 2 articles in the past week that I strongly disagreed with. The first was talking about how upsetting patriotic services were for some when they are held in the church. The second discussed how the writer thought it was wrong to have a United States flag in a church building.

I, on the other hand, have no problem with patriotic services, nor do I have a problem with flags in the church. The reason I have no issue with those items is because I believe America is a product of the mind of God.

> Daniel 4:17 This word is by decree of the observers; the matter is a command from the holy ones. This is so the living will know that the Most High is ruler over the kingdom of men. He gives it to anyone He wants and sets over it the lowliest of men.

I. I HAVE NO PROBLEM WITH THE FLAG BECAUSE:

1. God is the One Who dreamt up this nation. This nation was discovered, founded, and populated by Christians. It was not merely religious folks. They were not Muslims, Buddhists, Mormons, or anything else that founded this nation. It was God-fearing, Bible-believing, Christ-loving, Church-attending, Jesus-serving, Christians that founded, designed, and built this nation.

2. God is the One Who protects this nation.

We have soldiers, and sailors, all around the world, working to protect our nation. I am grateful for all of them. I come from many generations of men who have stepped up and defended this nation when called upon to do so; but let me tell you, unless God continues to protect this country, all the rest is done in vain.

> Psalm 127:1 Unless the Lord builds a house, its builders labor over it in vain; unless the Lord watches over a city, the watchman stays alert in vain.

3. God is the One Who Blessed this nation.

Our nation enjoys one of the lowest unemployment rates in the world, less than ½ that of many other countries. The cost of medical care in our country continues to rise, and yet we still enjoy some of the best health care in the world, and our pharmaceutical companies are staffed by some of the world’s brightest minds. There would be no debate about drugs from Canada, if those inventing new drugs in this country were not producing drugs wanted by others around the world and exporting them in the first place. We enjoy a standard of living, most in the world can only dream of, with many considered poor in this country still enjoying TV’s, cell phones, cars, and air conditioning; items only the wealthy enjoy in many countries. While some countries struggle just to grow enough food to feed their people, our nation’s farmers use countless thousands of farming acres to grow sod and ornamentals to decorate our yards, they export billions of dollars worth of agricultural goods, and still our citizens struggle with obesity.

We truly live in a “God-blessed” nation. This morning I would like you to notice with me the two ingredients required for living in a God-blessed nation.

- Read Romans 13:1-7

Paul tells us in the beginning verses of this passage that all government is established and ordained by God. God is so concerned for us that He established government authorities to help our society operate according to His plan. Society would be spoiled, and our nation would never flourish if every man were allowed to do what was right in his own eyes. So, God established government to punish evildoers and to reward those who do right.

Evidently our founding fathers understood that for they wrote in the preamble to our constitution that they were forming a new government: “to establish justice, ensure domestic tranquility, provide for the common defense, promote the general welfare, and secure the blessings of liberty to ourselves and our posterity.”

Oh my friend, that is why our government was established, that’s the way God intended it, but there are two essential requirements in a God-blessed nation. First, we must have godly leaders.

II. REQUIREMENTS OF A GOD-BLESSED NATION

A. GODLY _LEADERS_

1. _WALK_ with God.

- Proverbs 8:12-16

> Proverbs 28:5 Evil men do not understand justice, but those who seek the Lord understand all things.

My friend, godly leaders must walk with God. They must have a relationship with the Lord Jesus Christ and walk with Him faithfully, for these verses tell us that only those who seek the Lord understand. They are the only ones who judge with wisdom.

It is all I can do to make the necessary decisions for my family. To make the decisions which chart the course of a nation and which lead it in the right direction requires the wisdom of God. Godly leaders must walk with God. Jesus said In