Devot. Patriotism!

Hi Folks,

I hope you had a good week!   Our devotional topic is a piggyback to our previous devotional on freedom, so I am going to look at the topic of patriotism.

As I look at the state of our country, I believe that we are turning away from a sense of patriotism- a love of God, country and the flag, all 3 parts key elements in what gave our country a firm foundation to build on, the very essence of what made America truly great and made the US what it was.   

I was watching a very old patriotic movie over the weekend (Yankee Doodle Dandy, 1942) and was struck by how our country exuded a VERY proud, patriotic spirt.  Americans were PROUD to fly the US flag, wave it in their hand, sing the national anthem, and pray for our soldiers as they served in war. 

As I watched this film, I thought of how our country has been turning against Biblical values for some time, but it now seems more blatant than ever.  Our country is trying their hardest to rid themselves any Biblical symbols or expressions ("In God We Trust") that grounded the US. 

Our love and respect for "the grand old flag", the symbol of our nation is greatly diminishing.   Where once we greatly respected it, remembered all those who fought under, and shed their blood for it in the early days of our country, now folks in our own nation burn it in front of the White House without a second thought or argue over the "political incorrectness" of our early flag before it had all 50 stars on it (In other foreign countries, if a person would burn or disrespect their country's flag they would more than likely be jailed or killed for their criminal offense).   God help us....

2 Chronicles 7:14 states, "....if My people who are called by My name will humble themselves, and pray and seek My face, and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin and heal their land." 

If a country is blessed, healed and forgiven of their sins by humbling themselves before the Lord, sincerely praying/seeking Him in their lives, turning away from sin personally and nationally, what happens if the opposite occurs?

Blessings will be withheld.  We see though the Old Testament Scripture that God always withheld blessings and brought forth judgement when nations (we especially see the Nation of Israel in the OT) turned away from Him and worshiped false gods, idols (an idol is anything that we set up in our hearts and lives as more important than God, comes between us and Him- could be anything from a car to a person).

I think we are reaching that same point-of blessing behind withheld and God needing to do something to get our attention.  God is very patient (2 Peter 3:9), but He is also a jealous God when 100% worship, respect and reverence due Him is transferred, or discarded (Deuteronomy 4:24).  

So what is my point?  I believe that we need to pray, ask God to help each of us gaining a renewed or greater sense of reverence for Him, a love for a country and a respect for our flag and then pray that same spirit starts to permeate our nation.  God help us!

Below is a history lesson that I think will be useful to each of us and will be enjoyable to read.  It 's a link that gives a brief description of the true story behind the Betsy Ross Flag and the meaning of the 13 stars (I think we need to be educated in light of the news a few weeks ago from Niki) and I've included a patriotic devotional with a spiritual twist:)

Enjoy a short trip down a historical road this week and I pray that what you learn will be useful in educating someone else.  Lord bless you this weekend! 

Betsy Ross: http://www.ushistory.org/betsy/. (Taken from http://www.ushistory.org)

An Army With Banners: https://www.icr.org/article/army-with-banners. (Used by permission.  

Taken from https://www.icr.org/homepage/)