Blessed is the nation whose God is the LORD, the people He has chosen as His own inheritance. The LORD looks from heaven; He sees all the sons of men. From the place of His dwelling He looks on all the inhabitants of the earth; He fashions their hearts individually; He considers their works. No king is saved by the multitude of an army; A mighty man is not delivered by great strength. A horse is a vain hope for safety; Neither shall it deliver any by it any by its great strength.
Psalm 33: 13 - 17 NKJV
I was watching some race car event this week where at the end of the race the winning driver began speaking of the importance of God, family and country. Yes, this has become more than just a catch phrase in recent years, but it got me thinking as to where we place our focus in life. For His part, I'd say that he got it right, with God in the forefront followed by family and finally country. If we are wise, we will realize that it is the Lord who ultimately controls all that we do and experience. This is without question. If we are wise, we also value the importance of those closest to us, that being our family. Finally, after all else, comes our devotion to our nation. Like it or not, our country plays a vital role in our lives. From government to our interdependence on other states in the union, our strong belief in our nation is never misplaced. This is the basis of what has come to be known as patriotism. We love God, we love our family and we love this great nation we live in. However, in recent years there have been those who see this patriotism as no good. They look upon the flag of our country and they see a nation of racism and wrong doing. Now, while the behaviors of our past might not have been all that good, that is but a microcosm of our nations history. There is not a nation in history that has been entirely peaceful. Why? Because nations are inhabited by people. Show me one person, save our Lord and Savior, who has ever been entirely non violent or self serving. Like it or not, this is who we were. I say this in the past tense because we have been shown a entirely new identity. The apostle Paul speaks to our new reality in Christ in Galatians. It is Paul who reminds us that it is Christ Jesus who lives in us {Galatians 2:20}. We are no longer the sinners saved by grace the mainstream church continues to proclaim.
For our citizenship is in heaven, from which we also eagerly wait for the Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ.
Philippians 3: 20 NKJV
I would also mention that along with our life in Christ Jesus, that our one true home is with Christ where he is. You might say heaven, but where is that? You might say with Jesus, but according to Paul we are with Jesus now. Any way you look at it, this block of rock we live on is not our true home. Stuff that in your pipe and smoke it. This is not to take away from the rabid patriotism we have seen in the past few years. I get it. We relish the opportunity to fight for our country as our forefathers did. Except, who are you fighting? Democrats? Liberals and those who don't agree with you? Again, I get it. The patriotism fight has recently made its way into our nations vaccine controversy. I will say it again, you ARE NOT a patriot for refusing to be vaccinated. All you are doing is exorcising your right to choose freely. I have friends who claim to be among the patriots by refusing to be vaccinated. Yeah, good luck with that. I will never stain the memory of someone who has given their life for this country with your puny refusal to accept a vaccine. Instead of claiming your fake patriotism, ask of the Lord what it is He is doing through all of these recent events. I guarantee that He is working something through all we see. That's what He does. Will we listen to Him? Or, will we continue to hold onto our unholy trinity and fake patriotism?
Now the Lord is the Spirit; and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty.
2 Corinthians 3: 17 NKJV
~Scott~
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