God Bless America

God bless America, Land that I love, Stand beside her and guide her Thru the night with a light from above;

From the mountains, to the prairies, To the oceans white with foam, God bless America, My home, sweet home.

God bless America, My home, sweet home.

We are certainly blessed to live in a land where we are free to worship as we choose. God has blessed America for standing what is right and building a country that proclaims, “in God we trust”. It surprised me to find that the words of this song were written by a Jewish man. The song itself was even persecuted because of the nationality of the writer.

The song’s author, Irving Berlin arrived in America from Russia at the age of 5. He wrote the song in 1918 while serving the U. S. Army. The first critic said that the song contained a six-note fragment from an already existing song. In 1938, with the rise

of Adolf Hitler, Irving decided that the song should be revived. It faced opposition again when anti-Semitic groups like the Ku Klux Klan protested because the author was a Jewish immigrant. Proverbs 12:19 tells us, truthful lips endure forever. The words were a prayer for peace. They were adopted as the official campaign song for President Roosevelt and have been sung at many sporting events and by many people. The words of this prayer have stood the test of time.

Early Christians were beaten, stoned and even fed to the lions. It is recorded that many went to the lion’s den praising and thanking God. The Bible tells us that those persecuted for Christ are blessed. Blessed are those who have been persecuted for the sake of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of Heaven Matthew 5:10. If you are not facing a battle today you will soon. Stand firm. God will never leave you. Moses told the Israelites, Do not be afraid. Stand firm and you will see the deliverance the Lord will bring you today (Exodus 14:13).

You too can stand the test of time. Stand on God’s Word. He will deliver you. Praise Him for what He has done for you already. Praise Him for this great country.

Let us also lay aside every encumbrance and the sin which so easily entangles us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of faith, who for the joy set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throe of God. Matthew 12:1-2

God Bless America and God Bless You!

Pastor Julia Scott