I am a horrible American: absolutely horrid. When people go on and on about how wonderful the United States is (or are), how special and important it is, I think in my head, America can't stand next to my favorite country.
America has been around for 235 years and there have been citizens of my favorite nation around for almost 6,ooo years. That is 2,500 times longer.
The United States has "E pluribus Unum"- out of many one - on its currency, and yet lots Americans hate each other, fight each other, won't look each other in the face, that doesn't sound much like "one" to me. The people of my nation have difficulties for tiny little times, but they all have one Spirit so it doesn't last very long. That Spirit cannot be compared to any vague American spirit, either.
America is supposed to be a place of equality for everyone from everywhere, but how often in America has that actually happened? *crickets chirruping* Exactly! In my nation it doesn't matter where you came from, who you are, what you've done, all the citizens know they were once tired, poor, homeless, loveless, so now they can treat each other as equals, because they are fellow recipients of the most amazing welfare ever.
Our government never makes mistakes, never breaks a single law of its own, deals justice for everyone. And your American government has this reasonable law that exists (if you go back far enough) because our government exists. Only they don't pay much attention to it. Our government will last forever, yours will crumble, you know.
You know the nation I am speaking of, the holy nation.
America is nice, but what is "nice" next to the Most High God and those He has redeemed. What is a few hundred years next to eternity?
I do not deny that God has been very gracious to the United States, blessing her with quite a few wise lawmakers, freedom for many good things, and several inhabitants that are strangers and pilgrims, and have thus made her great. But the United States is really no different than the poorest nation with the greediest government, no better than the meanest international bully; America's purpose is to glorify God and help sanctify His children for a season, and this is the purpose of every nation.
Blessed is the nation whose God is the LORD, the people whom he has chosen as his heritage!
Psalm 33:12
But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for his own possession, that you may proclaim the excellencies of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light.
1 Peter 2:9
Happy Independence Day Everyone!
As you celebrate America's birthday remember how she got here and what she is for.
Laura
