## God Bless America

## Psalm 33:10-12

What a beautiful song. Many years ago, Kate Smith introduced America to that wonderful song. Something about that song electrified the nation and I suppose it has become one of the most beloved of all the patriotic songs in America.

There seems to be something in the lyrics of that song that is an indication on the part of America that we understand we desperately need the blessings of God. We have been blessed of God and for this we say, "God, bless America, again!" We know that we must have the blessings of God in the future if we are to survive and that everything we have comes from above.

Psalm 33:12 expresses the sentiments of that song when it says, "Blessed is the nation whose God is the LORD; and the people whom he hath chosen for his own inheritance."

I. Consider the Founding of America.

A. The founding of a nation is a very remarkable thing.

B. Throughout history there has been many attempts to found civilizations.

1. For instance, Paracleesus founded a civilization upon culture and it fell.

2. Alexander the Great founded a civilization upon military genius and it fell.

3. Caesar founded a civilization upon power and it fell.

C. Yet, there was something unique about the founding of America.

1. Roger Babson, many years ago, said, "South America was founded by men who were seeking gold. North America was founded by men who were seeking God".

2. The sturdy men and women who crossed the ocean to come to our land, came not seeking soil for their plows but liberty for their souls.

D. When we study the history of the founding of America we discover that there is something unique about our history above all of the nations of the earth.

1. Our pilgrim forefathers came to Plymouth Rock.

2. They landed there and knelt on their knees, thanking God for their new country.

3. During the days of the continental congress, when they were experiencing difficulties and problems were multiplying, Benjamin Franklin, called upon the continental congress to get on their knees, pray and ask God's blessing.

a. I wonder what would happen if that took place in congress today.

b. Of course, the first thing would be that some liberal would try to sue.

c. Beyond that, I wonder what would happen if in the congress of our land today they would get on their knees, pray and ask God to help us.

4. It is never out of order or improper for a society and a government to implore the blessings of Almighty God upon them.

5. That's how our country began.

a. All of us have read the story of George Washington.

b. During those stark days at Valley Forge the soldiers were starving and freezing to death.

c. General Washington was seen on his knees in the snow, praying and asking God to be with them and asking God to bless them.

d. This is how America has come about.

II. Consider the Blessings of God upon America.

A. Think about the fruit of America and all the things we have.

1. Think about our natural resources - our forests and our fields, our mines and our minerals.

2. It seems that God has deposited in America everything that a nation could ever imagine.

3. I like to think of the natural beauty in America.

4. What a beautiful land this is!

B. God has blessed us with a form of government which we have.

1. Our government is a republic. In other words, it is a nation governed by law.

2. The people gather together and express themselves in democratic forms and lay themselves under the authority of the law

3. You and I are living in a land where we are able to express our opinion.

a. We can express our approval and we can express our dissent.

b. We are free, in the proper manner, to criticize our leaders.

c. There is no Gestapo in America.

d. There is no Siberia or Tyanimen Square.

C. Think of the freedom we have in this great country.

1. All freedom has it's limits and responsibilities.

2. We have freedom of speech in America but we do not have freedom to shout "Fire" in a crowded building.

3. Our freedom is limited by certain restraints.

4. Lately, we've been involved in the controversy concerning the burning of the flag.

5. Someone wrote this as if the flag is speaking to us.

- I am the flag of the United States of America.
- I was conceived in the dreams of liberty and in the hopes of freedom.
- I was designed by the hands of Betsy Ross and her sewing basket was my cradle.
- Though I was never an orphan, I was adopted by the continental congress in 1777 and proclaimed the national emblem of a nation, newly born on this continent, fighting valiantly for survival and destined to bring to all mankind a new concept of life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness.
- I have been many places and have seen many things.
- I have witnessed every event of American history.
- I was there when they fired the shot heard around the world.
- I was there in the late twilight at Ft. McHenry and inspired Francis Scott Key to write the immortal "Star Spangled Banner", now our national anthem.
- I saw Molly Pitcher take the cannon swap from the hands of her dead husband and help carry on the fight for freedom.
- I felt the biting cold at Valley Forge and gave warmth and comfort to General Washington and his tired and hungry continental army.
- I rode with Ethan Allen and the Green Mountain boys.
- I saw the signal that started the midnight ride of Paul Revere.
- I was flown upon the decks of the old Ironsides and from the mask of the Yankee and the China Clippers.
- I blazed the trail with Daniel Boone and Davy Crocket.
- I led settlers coming West and crossed Death Valley in a covered wagon.
- I was carried through the Halls of Montezuma to the shores of Tripoli by the United States Marines.
- Once I fell to the ground at Custard's last stand and there were no living hands left to pick me up.
- I galloped up the slopes of San Juan Hill with Teddy Roosevelt and the rough riders of the United States Calvary.
- I stayed with the boys until it was over over there.
- I saw many of the youth and manhood of our nation fall and lie still in death
- They had given their last full measure of devotion.
- The war was over for them forever and I kept my lonely vigil over their graves and stayed to watch the poppies grow amid the crosses, row on row in Flanders Field.
- I was raised by five brave men during the hell of Iwo Jima.
- I waved farewell to the four immortal chaplains who went down with their ship and to honor glory.
- I am many things to many people.
- I am an inseparable link in the chain that binds men to God and country.
- Each link welded in the fires of purity by the sacred hands of God, himself.
- And because I am on the side of God, the godless would destroy me but they dare not because I am protected by the mighty land Armies of the nation, the powerful and deadly fleet of the Navy and the screaming eagles of the Air Force, watching and waiting to swoop down and destroy anything that could harm me.
- To some I am yesterday, today and tomorrow.
- To others, I am a glorious child.
- To some, a grand old man or a most gracious lady.
- I have several names.
- I'm called the red, white, and blue, the star spangled banner, the stars and the stripes.
- But I am most commonly known by my nickname given to me by an old sea captain, who called me "Old Glory".
- I drape the caskets of our nation's heroes, born to their last resting place, the caskets of presidents, generals, admirals, humble privates and the unknown soldier.
- Wherever free men gather, wherever there is justice, equality, faith, hope, charity, truth or brotherly love there too am I.
- I shall remain until, like the old soldier, I'll just fade away and be retired by time alone and may history never write my obituary.
- For I am the stars and stripes forever.
- I am Old Glory!

III. Consider the Enemies of America.

A. Atheism.

1. It is an astounding thing in this land that was founded on Christian principles to know that there are several million people who profess Atheism.

2. We may have forgotten that one of the things that brought about the removal of prayer from public schools was the incessant efforts of an Atheist, Madeline Murray O'Hare

3. If there's a comic book in heaven then Atheism is on it's pages.

4. I heard about an Atheist one time who said to a little boy, "Son, I'll give you an apple if you'll tell me where God is." The little boy said, "Sir, I'll give you a whole barrel of apples if you tell me where God is not."

5. The most unpleasant time in the life of an Atheist is when he feels grateful and has nobody to thank.

6. What a terrible feeling that must be.

7. I heard about two guys who were out in a boat, heading toward Niagara Falls.

a. One of them professed to be an Atheist.

b. They got closer to Niagara Falls than they had intended to and it appeared for awhile that there was no turning back and they were going over the falls.

c. As they approached and they were desperately trying to get the boat to the side.

d. The Atheist began to say, "Oh, God, help us! Oh, God, help us!"

e. Sure enough, God did help them.

f. When they got to the shore his friend said, "But, Sir, I thought you were an Atheist.

g. I didn't think you believed in God and yet you were calling on God."

h. The Atheist said, "Well, Atheism is all right for calm waters but it won't do when you're facing Niagara Falls.

8. Atheism may be something to brag about and something to try to turn Christian witnesses away but when you're facing the real problems of life you need a God to call on.

9. Blessed is the nation whose God is the Lord.

a. Don't worry about Atheism today.

b. Look at the first verse of this text (verse 10), "The Lord bringeth the counsel of the heathen to nought: he maketh the devices of the people of none effect."

B. Alcoholism and Drug abuse.

1. It is one of the major problems of America.

2. The statistics are beginning to roll in on the devastating impact of alcohol in America.

3. The alcoholic says that he drinks only on special occasions, like when the sun goes down everyday.

4. We live in a society that has taught the alcoholic to believe that he's merely the victim of a disease and has no moral responsibility at all

5. Society has given excuses for people not to try to change and we've done great damage.

6. A man will never come to know his need of Jesus Christ as long as people tell him he is not morally responsible.

C. Apostasy - spiritual departure from the Word of God.

1. I am talking about those today who have departed from the faith.

2. Someone said recently that people have not forsaken the churches, but the churches have forsaken the people by not preaching and teaching the Word of God.

3. This old book still works even in this scientific and modern day.

4. The old book has a message that is as current and up to date as today's paper, in fact, more so.

D. There is another enemy of America: apathy.

1. A man taking a poll said to a man on the street, "Sir, did you know that the two greatest problems in America are ignorance and apathy?" The man said, "I didn't know and I don't care!"

2. Apathy is an enemy of America.

3. The average church member doesn’t care that souls are dying all around the world.

4. If they did, they would get involved in reaching them.

5. Lamentations 1:12a, "Is it nothing to you, all ye that pass by?..."

6. The future and hope of America is Jesus.

The greatest thing you can do for America today is to give your life to the Lord Jesus Christ. If you have never trusted Jesus Christ as your personal Savior why not come today?

The greatest thing you who know Jesus can do is give America a Christian home and give America a Christian citizen. Help us a build this church for the honor and glory of Jesus Christ. When we do that then we can truthfully say, Blessed is the nation whose God is the Lord: and the people whom he hath chosen for his own inheritance.