1.17-One Nation Under God

I am starting to see some connection our pledge of allegiance and our success as a country.

It says one nation "under God'.

God is love and His desire is for unity and not quarreling.  Even over land there are some good examples of men of faith working for peace regarding land.  Abraham and Jacob and Esau come to mind.

Abraham's big household and his nephew Lot got to quarreling and Abraham just gave Lot his pick of the different areas and he took what was left.

When Jacob and Esau came back together after having been separated Jacob brought gifts of peace and Esau also offered to be  as helpful as he could be to Esau.  

Wouldn't you like the land wars in the middle east to end with a spirit of love and peace?

In the days of the revolutionary war there was a problem with the rebels feeling that there was "taxation without representation."  They had a war.  It formed the USA.

In the days of the "Civil War".  Or the "War Between the States" or there was a desire in the heart of many led by Lincoln to free the slaves and the other side did not want the slaves freed.  Both groups thought God was on their side and used the Bible to justify their point of view.  Over 500,000 soldiers died to in war to bring about unity and peace.

Jesus said their would always be wars because men have hard hearts and their answer to things is quarreling, slander, hate and war.   God has better answers.

God believed in affirming people.  God is love.  God teaches us to love our enemies and give kindness and dignity to all people regardless of their nation or their race or ethnic group.  Love your neighbor as yourself.  This is the commandment of God.

Psalm 15.
God, who gets invited
    to dinner at your place?
How do we get on your guest list?

² “Walk straight,
    act right,
        tell the truth.

^3-4 “Don’t hurt your friend,
    don’t blame your neighbor;
        despise the despicable.

⁵ “Keep your word even when it costs you,
    make an honest living,
        never take a bribe.

“You’ll never get
blacklisted
if you live like this.”

The Message (MSG)

Jesus taught love for enemies and the Father in heaven was extremely pleased with Him.

Matthew 5.
^43-47 “You’re familiar with the old written law, ‘Love your friend,’ and its unwritten companion, ‘Hate your enemy.’ I’m challenging that. I’m telling you to love your enemies. Let them bring out the best in you, not the worst. When someone gives you a hard time, respond with the energies of prayer, for then you are working out of your true selves, your God-created selves. This is what God does. He gives his best—the sun to warm and the rain to nourish—to everyone, regardless: the good and bad, the nice and nasty. If all you do is love the lovable, do you expect a bonus? Anybody can do that. If you simply say hello to those who greet you, do you expect a medal? Any run-of-the-mill sinner does that.

Matthew 17.

17 ^1-3 Six days later, three of them saw that glory. Jesus took Peter and the brothers, James and John, and led them up a high mountain. His appearance changed from the inside out, right before their eyes. Sunlight poured from his face. His clothes were filled with light. Then they realized that Moses and Elijah were also there in deep conversation with him.

⁴ Peter broke in, “Master, this is a great moment! What would you think if I built three memorials here on the mountain—one for you, one for Moses, one for Elijah?”
⁵ While he was going on like this, babbling, a light-radiant cloud enveloped them, and sounding from deep in the cloud a voice: “This is my Son, marked by my love, focus of my delight. Listen to him.”

So when we are tempted to listen to godless things on our radio or television and hate for people is generated there needs to be a monitor in our mind and heart to say "No".  When people try to divide our United States we need to be relentless in trying to love each other in the way that God has taught us.

A prayer
God help us to love and overlook and forgive others in the way you have done this for us.  Please drawn our country together under Yourself.
In Jesus Name
Amen

"One Nation Under God.

Larry Wishard