by Joshua Goodling

These words have been sung over and over again since 9/11. They have been the cry of many Americans all across the country. People who never even think about God in their daily lives have suddenly chimed in with their fellow citizens in a cry to God to Bless America.

I am caused to wonder; "Do these people even know what they are asking? Do they really understand what it means and what it would take for God to bless this nation?"

The Bible clearly defines what we are to do if we really want God to bless us. The Bible says in Psalm 33:12; "Blessed is the nation whose God is the LORD!" If we really want God to bless America, we must turn back to Him. Too many people treat God as a "wishing well". They never even mention God unless disaster happens, then all of the sudden they think they can run to God and He will listen. If we are not living for God and serving Him in our lives, He has no obligation whatsoever to even hear our prayers or cries for help. God is not just a "supreme being" who we can attach to our lives. If He is really our Lord, our lives will be lived according to His Word.

Psalm 119:2 says; "Blessed are they that keep his testimonies, and that seek him with the whole heart." America as a nation has not sought God with their heart, and we have even gone as far as to remove His commandments from public and private buildings.

It is obvious many people have a completely wrong concept of who God is. If we would only stop and realize the power that God has, we wouldn't dare to offend Him in the way that we so flippantly do. There are many people who live their lives completely opposite of what God's Word commands, and yet they think they can just turn to God when problems come and He will help them. They are sadly mistaken.

Psalm 128:1 tells us; "Blessed is everyone that feareth the Lord; that walketh in His ways." In other words, for God to bless America, we must start living the way He wants us to live, and stop trying to make excuses for our selfishness and pride. We must accept His Word as it is, and stop trying to change it to fit our lifestyle.

I can already hear the thousands of arguments, "Well, MY God doesn't expect me to do that kind of stuff, MY God….." I'm sorry to inform you, there is only ONE GOD! God is not someone we just make up and form to our specifications. Those who now say they don't believe in God, and say that the God of the Bible is not the true God, will one day say differently. "every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord" (Phillippians 2:11).

If you have never trusted in God, nor given your life to Him, how can you expect Him to bless you? When you have not lived for Him, nor done anything to serve Him, you actually think He will answer you when you suddenly in a moment of crisis call out?

Those who say their money is more important than God, should try turning to their money when problems come. Those who say that their sinful life is more important than God should try turning to the things they worship for help.

Since God is obviously the only source of true help and hope, why not turn to Him before the trials come? That way, when the next tragedy strikes, you'll be able to completely rely upon Him for help. Once you decide to live for Him, He has promised to never leave or forsake you.

The main problem with a lot of people today is, they want to continue living their "sinful" lives, they don't want anyone "telling them what to do". But, I've got news! Living for God and having fellowship with Him is a lot more exciting and rewarding than anything this old world has to offer. The Bible says in Psalm 34:8; "O taste and see that the LORD is good: blessed is the man that trusteth in Him."

This of course, brings up another very important point. There are thousands of people who claim to "trust in God" but really have no clue what is involved in really trusting God. Our currency even states "In God We Trust". However, trusting in God is a LOT more than just a statement.

The word "trust" means complete reliance on the ability and strength of someone, and a total dependence upon them. Many people who claim to trust God certainly do not live like they trust Him. Trusting God is more than just believing He exists. To really trust Him, we have to give Him our lives. We cannot trust Him when we still try to control our lives and make excuses for our wrong actions.

I cannot tell you how many people I've talked to who declare to trust in God, yet they live just like everyone else in the world lives. And many of them say; "Well, I just don't believe you have to give up anything to be a Christian. I don't believe you have to stop doing what the Bible says you're not supposed to do."

I would like to point out that the Bible is not for us to decide what parts we are going to believe and what parts we are not going to believe. We either believe it all, or we believe none of it! God doesn't look down from heaven and say; "Okay, you believe that way, so you can live that way, and you over here believe a different way, so you can live this way." The Bible VERY clearly defines how we are to live as a Christian, and what it means to be a Christian. It is NOT open for discussion or argument.

Over the past month I've heard the song "God Bless America" many times. And as a patriotic American, each time I hear it, it brings a tear to my eye. However, if we really want God to truly bless America, we must do as He says: "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." (II Chronicles 7:14)

Yes, God will truly bless America, but it will take more than just us singing the words to a song.

What Our Founders Have Said About America...

"We have staked the whole of all our political institutions upon the capacity of mankind for self-government, upon the capacity of each and all of us to govern ourselves, to control ourselves, to sustain ourselves according to the Ten Commandments of God."
- James Madison

"The reason that Christianity is the best friend of Government is because Christianity is the only religion that changes the heart."
- Thomas Jefferson

"We have no government armed in power capable of contending in human passions unbridled by morality and religion. Our constitution was made only for a moral and religious people. It is wholly inadequate for the government of any other."
- John Adams

"Before any man can be considered as a member of civil society, he must be considered as a subject of the Governor of the Universe. And to the same Divine Author of every good and perfect gift [James 1:17] we are indebted for all those privileges and advantages, religious as well as civil, which are so richly enjoyed in this favored land."
- James Madison

"The Smiles of Heaven can never be expected On a Nation that disregards the eternal rules of Order and Right, which Heaven Itself Ordained."
- George Washington