As we approach our nation’s 246th birthday on July 4th, I am brought back once again to King David’s declaration in Psalm 33:12: “Blessed is the nation whose God is the Lord, the people whom he has chosen as his heritage!” The source of a nation’s strength and security comes from its acknowledgement of the true and living God and from a relationship with Him. The independence that flows from these is the reason we have the privilege of living in the freest country on earth; it is the reason that millions of people continue to seek entrance into this nation and reside in it. In their minds, the proverbial “American Dream” is still a reality. I concur and am truly thankful. 

Patriotism is a natural, human quality. It means a devotion to and vigorous support for one’s country. It means that you have a genuine desire for what will bless and prosper your nation. While there are some similarities, patriotism should not to be confused with nationalism. Nationalism is the identification and support for one’s own nation to the exclusion or detriment of the interest of other nations. Anyone paying attention knows that right now we are a nation that is seriously divided politically; however, one of the things that stands out about today’s liberals is their ambivalence towards America’s foundations and greatness. Instead they exhibit a disdain for America – almost an anti-patriotism. I have to question whether they really want what is best for our nation. Our nation is not perfect – far from it – but this group seems to highlight and rejoice in America’s failings. It’s as if they are blind to the gifts of the freedom our nation was built on.

This brings to a close examination of the definition and secret of greatness as it applies to nations. The entire narrative about God choosing Abraham and his descendants as His people was to lead them to becoming “a great nation.” The Bible is clear: “Righteousness exalts a nation, but sin is a disgrace to any people” (Proverbs 14:34). The strengths that make a nation great are not militaristic or material, but in God’s eyes, they are moral and spiritual. These are exactly what we find in the remainder of Psalm 33. Let me point out just a few. The first refers to justice. Verses 4 and 5 say, “For the Lord’s decrees are just, and everything he does is fair. He promotes equity and justice; the Lord’s faithfulness extends throughout the earth.” Dr. Tony Evans answered the question, what is justice, by saying, “It is the equitable and impartial application of the rule of God’s moral law in society. There is no clear and right definition of justice that excludes God. So to grasp justice, we must go to God’s Word. The Bible condemns injustice, because God is just.” This is why the Supreme Court’s recent decision to strike down Roe v. Wade as a “right” found in the Constitution is so encouraging. The intensity and histrionics in reaction to this ruling and the opposition to it tell us that the issues of true justice are very spiritual indeed.

Closely related to justice are a nation’s convictions, its principles, laws, and advice; that is, what it stands for. Verses 10 and 11 point to this: “The Lord nullifies the counsel of the nations; He frustrates the plans of the peoples. The counsel of the Lord stands forever, the plans of His heart from generation to generation.” God’s Word adhered to in a human society results in the only true foundation for successful living. Man’s “better ideas” do not contribute to a nation’s greatness. Military might alone does not make a nation great. Remember that, at the time this was written, horses and chariots were that generation’s M1 Abrams tanks or F-22 Raptor jets. I believe that a strong military is very necessary in our fallen world.  This is why I am so grateful for those who have served in the armed services of our nation; those who have taken the oath, “I do solemnly swear that I will support and defend the Constitution of the United States against all enemies, foreign and domestic.” The Psalmist reminds us in verses 16 and 17: “The king is not saved by a mighty army; a warrior is not delivered by great strength. A horse is false hope for victory; nor does it deliver anyone by its great strength. Behold, the eye of the Lord is on those who fear Him, on those who hope for His lovingkindness,”

This 4th of July weekend, let us remember the lyrics of the beloved anthem, God Bless America:

“God bless America, land that I love! Stand beside her, and guide her through the night with the light from above.” This sounds a whole lot like the end of Psalm 33: “Behold, the eye of the Lord is on those who fear Him, on those who hope for His lovingkindness, to deliver their soul from death and to keep them alive in famine. Our soul waits for the Lord, He is our help and our shield, for our heart rejoices in Him, because we trust in His holy name. Let Your lovingkindness, O Lord, be upon us, according as we have hoped in You.”