America, Bless God

Sermon delivered on July 2nd, 2017
Morning Service

By: Pastor Greg Hocson

Scripture Text: Psalm 33

 

Introduction

I believe we would all agree that United States is a blessed country!

 

Bill Bennett, when he was Secretary of Education, was asked by a 7th grader: "How can you tell a good country from a bad one?" Bennett replied, "I apply the 'gate' test. When the gates of a country are open, watch which way the people run."

 

A survey done in 2013 showed about 13% of the adults in the world -- or about 630 million people -- say they would like to leave their country and move somewhere else permanently. For about 138 million people, that somewhere else would be the U.S. The U.S. remains the most popular destination in the world for potential migrants, which is only one indication of the fact that we are a nation that is blessed! 

 

America is still blessed, but I believe, the blessings we enjoy today not because of the faithfulness of the present generation but mostly because of the faithfulness of past generations. The founding fathers of America were men of faith in God and God's Word. America was founded on Biblical truths.

 

There is no denying that many of the founding fathers of the United States of America were men of deep religious convictions based in the Bible and their Christian faith in Jesus Christ. Of the 56 men who signed the Declaration of Independence, 24 of them held seminary or Bible school degrees.

 

Allow me to quote some of our founding fathers to give us an overview of their strong moral and spiritual convictions which helped form the foundations of our nation and our government. But be reminded they were not perfect. They were not all born again Christians, but they all acknowledged that God was the Supreme Ruler over man and over government.

 

George Washington, the 1st U.S. President, said, "It is the duty of all nations to acknowledge the providence of Almighty God and to obey His will."

 

George Washington's Prayer 

"Oh, eternal and everlasting God, direct my thoughts, words and work. Wash away my sins in the immaculate blood of the Lamb and purge my heart by Thy Holy Spirit. Daily, frame me more and more in the likeness of Thy son, Jesus Christ, that living in Thy fear, and dying in Thy favor, I may in thy appointed time obtain the resurrection of the justified unto eternal life. Bless, O Lord, the whole race of mankind and let the world be filled with the knowledge of Thee and Thy son, Jesus Christ."

 

Thomas Jefferson, the 3rd President, said, "God who gave us life gave us liberty. Can the liberties of a nation be secured  when we have removed a conviction that these liberties are the gift of God?"

 

"I am a real Christian — that is to say, a disciple of the doctrines of Jesus Christ." - The Writings of Thomas Jefferson, p. 385.

 

Benjamin Franklin - Signer of the Declaration of Independence and Unites States Constitution

"Here is my Creed. I believe in one God, the Creator of the Universe. That He governs it by His Providence. That He ought to be worshipped."

 

"As to Jesus of Nazareth, my opinion of whom you particularly desire, I think the system of morals and his religion, as he left them to us, is the best the world ever saw, or is likely to see;"

 

James Madison - 4th U.S. President

"Cursed be all that learning that is contrary to the cross of Christ."

--America's Providential History by Stephen K. McDowell, p. 93.

 

William Penn - Founder of Pennsylvania

"I do declare to the whole world that we believe the Scriptures to contain a declaration of the mind and will of God in and to those ages in which they were written; being given forth by the Holy Ghost moving in the hearts of holy men of God; that they ought also to be read, believed, and fulfilled in our day; being used for reproof and instruction, that the man of God may be perfect. They are a declaration and testimony of heavenly things themselves, and, as such, we carry a high respect for them. We accept them as the words of God Himself.Treatise of the Religion of the Quakers, p. 355.

 

Calvin Coolidge, 13th President, said, "The foundations of our society and our government rest so much on the teachings of the Bible that it would be difficult to support them if faith in these teachings would cease to be practically universal in our country."

 

Abraham Lincoln, the 16th President, said, "I am profitably engaged in reading the Bible. Take all of this book upon reason that you can, and the balance by faith, and you will lived and die a better man."

 

Franklin D. Roosevelt, 32nd President prayed, "O Lord, give us faith. Give us faith in Thee; faith in our sons; faith in each other; faith in our united crusade...Thy will be done, Almighty God. Amen."

 

David Joseph Brewer, Supreme Court Justice from 1889 to 1910 said, "The American nation from its first settlement at Jamestown to this hour is based upon and permeated by the principles of the Bible." From Discovering God in America, by Newt Gingrich

 

Our Pledge of Allegiance goes like this ..."I pledge Allegiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the Republic for which it stands, one nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all."

 

The pledge of Allegiance declares without apology that America is "one nation under God.

 

The Declaration of Independence declares the following ...

"We hold these truths to be self-evident that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain inalienable rights that among these are life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness."

 

Yet today, we as a nation have forgotten where happiness is found! We have forgotten where blessedness is found!

 

Psalm 33:12 Blessed is the nation whose God is the LORD: and the people whom he hath chosen for his own inheritance.

The Psalmist declares that blessedness is experienced by a nation whose God is the LORD.  A nation is blessed, when it claims God as its LORD. God's intentions towards nations and always have been to bless mankind.

Psalm 33:5 He loveth righteousness and judgment: the earth is full of the goodness of the LORD. 

God fills the earth with His goodness in spite of wretchedness of man towards God and each other. 

 

The word "Blessed" carries the idea of happiness, contentment with godliness. O, how happy that nation whose God is the LORD. What is true of a nation is also as true of an individual.

Psalm 33:12 Blessed is the nation whose God is the LORD: and the people whom he hath chosen for his own inheritance.

The primary reference here is undoubtedly to the Hebrew people, called His "inheritance", but what is here affirmed of that people is true also of all other people who worship the true God.

 

Here is the secret to blessedness. The LORD must be our God! But it is sad to say that we as a nation have turn our backs on God. Unless America rediscovers the path to blessedness, instead of experiencing blessedness; we will experience complete ruin and failure. Biblical history is filled with examples of failed nations - Nineveh, Egypt, Babylon, Greece, Roman Empire, etc. It is all because these nations do not have the LORD as their God. Because a nation that despises and rejects God and His law shall be brought down. 

 

Proverbs 14:34 Righteousness exalteth a nation: but sin is a reproach to any people.

 

I don't know about you but I want God's blessing upon my life. And I want God's blessing upon America. I pray for America to come back and make the LORD as her God. This may or may not happen in my generation but as for me and my house we will make sure the LORD is our God!

 

I believe God wants to bless America. I believe God wants to bless every nation. I believe He wants to bless every individual.

Psalm 33:5 He loveth righteousness and judgment: the earth is full of the goodness of the LORD. 

 

But when it comes to blessing, God has clearly and repeatedly set down conditions. Blessing has always had its conditions and they are not hard to find, because they are revealed in the Scripture. 

 

2 Chronicles 7:14 If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land. 15:  Now mine eyes shall be open, and mine ears attent unto the prayer that is made in this place.

 

God, what do we need to do to be blessed?

1. God's people must return to the Holy God

Throughout this Psalm we are reminded of some things about the LORD. Throughout this Psalm we are reminded of the character traits of God.

 

God is a holy, righteous and just God. 

Psalm 33:4 For the word of the LORD is right; and all his works are done in truth. 5: He loveth righteousness and judgment: the earth is full of the goodness of the LORD.

If we want God to bless America and our individual lives, we must return to the God of the Bible whose Word is right and whose works are all done in truth, who loves righteousness and who fills the earth with His goodness.

 

God is a God of great mercy

Psalm 33:5 He loveth righteousness and judgment: the earth is full of the goodness of the LORD.

 

Psalm 33:18 Behold, the eye of the LORD is upon them that fear him, upon them that hope in his mercy; 19: To deliver their soul from death, and to keep them alive in famine. 20: Our soul waiteth for the LORD: he is our help and our shield. 21: For our heart shall rejoice in him, because we have trusted in his holy name. 22: Let thy mercy, O LORD, be upon us, according as we hope in thee.

 

God is a God of great power

If we want God's blessing upon America we must go back to the God who created the universe. 

Psalm 33:6 By the word of the LORD were the heavens made; and all the host of them by the breath of his mouth. 7: He gathereth the waters of the sea together as an heap: he layeth up the depth in storehouses. 8: Let all the earth fear the LORD: let all the inhabitants of the world stand in awe of him. 9: For he spake, and it was done; he commanded, and it stood fast. 

 

If we want God's blessing upon America we must put our trust and confidence in God.

Psalm 33:10 The LORD bringeth the counsel of the heathen to nought: he maketh the devices of the people of none effect. 11: The counsel of the LORD standeth for ever, the thoughts of his heart to all generations.

 

Psalm 33:13 The LORD looketh from heaven; he beholdeth all the sons of men. 14: From the place of his habitation he looketh upon all the inhabitants of the earth. 15: He fashioneth their hearts alike; he considereth all their works. 16: There is no king saved by the multitude of an host: a mighty man is not delivered by much strength. 17: An horse is a vain thing for safety: neither shall he deliver any by his great strength. 

If we are really serious of asking God to bless America we must pray that America would return to the God of Truth who is holy, righteous, just and of great power.

 

Psalm 34:8 O taste and see that the LORD is good: blessed is the man that trusteth in him.

Blessed is the man who takes refuge in the Lord.

 

2. God's people must return to the Holy Scripture

Psalm 33:1 Rejoice in the LORD, O ye righteous: for praise is comely for the upright. 2: Praise the LORD with harp: sing unto him with the psaltery and an instrument of ten strings. 3: Sing unto him a new song; play skilfully with a loud noise. 4: For the word of the LORD is right; and all his works are done in truth.

And the way to blessing is back to the Book, is not only to know the God of truth but also to know the truth of God. If there is ever going to be blessing, there must be returning to this Book!

 

John Quincy Adams who would become President said later in 1821 about the Declaration of Independence. He said:

"From the time of the Declaration of Independence, the American people were bound by the laws of God and the laws of the gospel of Jesus Christ, which they all acknowledge as the root of their conduct. We all came together to obey the word of God."

 

Joshua 1:8 This book of the law shall not depart out of thy mouth; but thou shalt meditate therein day and night, that thou mayest observe to do according to all that is written therein: for then thou shalt make thy way prosperous, and then thou shalt have good success.

What's the key? The key is this Book! Read, meditate, keep, and observe the Word of God. Yes, there is blessing for the one who walks in the Word, for this book will reveal God in all His glory. This book will reveal the reality and ugliness of sin and its divine remedy. 

Psalm 1:1 Blessed is the man that walketh not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor standeth in the way of sinners, nor sitteth in the seat of the scornful. 2: But his delight is in the law of the LORD; and in his law doth he meditate day and night. 3: And he shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water, that bringeth forth his fruit in his season; his leaf also shall not wither; and whatsoever he doeth shall prosper.

 

Psalm 112:1 Praise ye the LORD. Blessed is the man that feareth the LORD, that delighteth greatly in his commandments. 2: His seed shall be mighty upon earth: the generation of the upright shall be blessed. 3: Wealth and riches shall be in his house: and his righteousness endureth for ever.

 

And the way to blessing is back to the book, to know the truth of God and the God of the book.

 

3. God's people must return to Holy Living

Psalm 33:5 He loveth righteousness and judgment: the earth is full of the goodness of the LORD.

 

Psalm 33:13 The LORD looketh from heaven; he beholdeth all the sons of men. 14: From the place of his habitation he looketh upon all the inhabitants of the earth.

 

2 Chronicles 16:9 For the eyes of the LORD run to and fro throughout the whole earth, to shew himself strong in the behalf of them whose heart is perfect toward him. Herein thou hast done foolishly: therefore from henceforth thou shalt have wars.

 

Psalm 33:18 Behold, the eye of the LORD is upon them that fear him, upon them that hope in his mercy; 19: To deliver their soul from death, and to keep them alive in famine. 20: Our soul waiteth for the LORD: he is our help and our shield. 21: For our heart shall rejoice in him, because we have trusted in his holy name. 22: Let thy mercy, O LORD, be upon us, according as we hope in thee.

 

2 Chronicles 7:14 If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land. 15:  Now mine eyes shall be open, and mine ears attent unto the prayer that is made in this place.

 

If we Christians truly want to see God's blessing on our country, it must start in the house of God. Blessing begins when you and I admit our sin and admit our violation of the law of God. 

Isaiah 55:6 Seek ye the LORD while he may be found, call ye upon him while he is near: 7: Let the wicked forsake his way, and the unrighteous man his thoughts: and let him return unto the LORD, and he will have mercy upon him; and to our God, for he will abundantly pardon.

 

Psalm 32:1 Blessed is he whose transgression is forgiven, whose sin is covered. 2: Blessed is the man unto whom the LORD imputeth not iniquity, and in whose spirit there is no guile.

Here is true blessedness - forgiven and justified. There is blessing, but that blessing comes by way of repentance for sin and obedience to the Word of God. 

 

Our founding fathers recognized this ...

Senator James Harlan of Iowa, whose daughter later married President Lincoln's son Robert, introduced this Resolution in the Senate on March 2, 1863. The Resolution asked President Lincoln to proclaim a national day of prayer and fasting. The Resolution was adopted on March 3, and signed by Lincoln on March 30, one month before the fast day was observed.

 

By the President of the United States of America.

 

A Proclamation.

 

"Whereas, the Senate of the United States, devoutly recognizing the Supreme Authority and just Government of Almighty God, in all the affairs of men and of nations, has, by a resolution, requested the President to designate and set apart a day for National prayer and humiliation.

 

And whereas it is the duty of nations as well as of men, to own their dependence upon the overruling power of God, to confess their sins and transgressions, in humble sorrow, yet with assured hope that genuine repentance will lead to mercy and pardon; and to recognize the sublime truth, announced in the Holy Scriptures and proven by all history, that those nations only are blessed whose God is the Lord.

 

And, insomuch as we know that, by His divine law, nations like individuals are subjected to punishments and chastisements in this world, may we not justly fear that the awful calamity of civil war, which now desolates the land, may be but a punishment, inflicted upon us, for our presumptuous sins, to the needful end of our national reformation as a whole People? We have been the recipients of the choicest bounties of Heaven. We have been preserved, these many years, in peace and prosperity. We have grown in numbers, wealth and power, as no other nation has ever grown. But we have forgotten God. We have forgotten the gracious hand which preserved us in peace, and multiplied and enriched and strengthened us; and we have vainly imagined, in the deceitfulness of our hearts, that all these blessings were produced by some superior wisdom and virtue of our own. Intoxicated with unbroken success, we have become too self-sufficient to feel the necessity of redeeming and preserving grace, too proud to pray to the God that made us!

 

It behooves us then, to humble ourselves before the offended Power, to confess our national sins, and to pray for clemency and forgiveness.

 

Now, therefore, in compliance with the request, and fully concurring in the views of the Senate, I do, by this my proclamation, designate and set apart Thursday, the 30th. day of April, 1863, as a day of national humiliation, fasting and prayer. And I do hereby request all the People to abstain, on that day, from their ordinary secular pursuits, and to unite, at their several places of public worship and their respective homes, in keeping the day holy to the Lord, and devoted to the humble discharge of the religious duties proper to that solemn occasion."

 

Closing Thoughts

Do you want God's blessing upon America? Do you want God's blessing upon your life? There are conditions. Return to the Holy God, return to the Holy Scripture and return to Holy living. Walk with God, walk in truth and walk in holiness. It starts with a personal relationship with Jehovah through His Son.

2 Corinthians 1:19  For the Son of God, Jesus Christ, who was preached among you by us, even by me and Silvanus and Timotheus, was not yea and nay, but in him was yea. 20:  For all the promises of God in him are yea, and in him Amen, unto the glory of God by us.

 

Ephesians 1:3  Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who hath blessed us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ:

All the promises of God, all spiritual blessings become a reality in and only in Christ. If God would bless America, if God would bless our individual lives, we must come back to Jesus Christ.

 

We have God in our Declaration of Independence, we have God in our Pledge of Allegiance, we have God on our coins, we have God in our songs, but if we are going to be blessed we must have God in our minds or our hearts through His Son Jesus Christ!

Psalm 33:12 Blessed is the nation whose God is the LORD: and the people whom he hath chosen for his own inheritance. 

 

AMEN!