The USA

Yesterday we sang a verse of America the Beautiful written by Katharine Bates in 1895 thinking of those who heroes proved in liberating strife.  The fourth stanza has the phrase, God shed His grace on thee, which got me thinking.  That full stanza reads:

O beautiful for patriot dream That sees beyond the years
Thine alabaster cities gleam Undimmed by human tears.
America! America! God shed His grace on thee,
And crown thy good with brotherhood From sea to shining sea.

I agree with Bates that God has shed grace upon us as a nation that He might use us in His service.  Therefore, I do believe the United States has been exceptional.

I also believe that the United States warrants God’s judgment for a host of reasons, especially the murder of over 60 million children.  She was evil in prolonging slavery and then not giving all men equal opportunity.  The Yalta conference proved terrible for countless thousands for many decades and we were complicit.  The United States has been no Sunday School child, yet she has been used by God and here are some ways:

1. She has allowed churches and Christianity to flourish and thus great Christian leaders and Christian teachings have spilled all over the world.  (Billy Graham, an example)
2. She has provided a base for the spread of Christianity to the four corners of the globe in part through tax breaks encouraging giving to mission organizations and the support of missionaries.
3. Acts 10:38 – Jesus went about doing good.  The USA has been about that by digging wells, building hospitals, improving farming, providing disaster relief, holding medical clinics, etc.
4. She has welcomed peoples from all over the world to come and participate in the American dream.  They have flourished often sending money home to better the lives of their loved ones.
5. She has trained people from other countries in the sciences, military ways, the arts, and government.
6. She has sold and provided technology, equipment, instructors and other in order to better others.
7. She has pulled most of the world out of darkness into light.  Just consider China a half-century ago living much as they had 1500 years earlier, but no longer.  Today they wear suits and ties and live in steel and glass cities – copying the United States.
8. She has come to the defense of many countries under attack such as Great Britain, Kuwait, and Israel.  She has never grabbed land or assets for her service but given the blood of her people and monies that could have been used at home.
9. She has rebuilt devastated countries – even enemies.  Japan killed thousands and thousands of her people and yet she helped them get back on their feet.  Germany too!  Countries devastated by storms or internal affairs have received rich help.
10. She has befriended Israel from her very birth in 1948.  It can be said that the very existence of the state of Israel is due largely to God’s use of the USA to supply and support Israel against impossible odds on the battlefield and in the political realm.

[I believe Israel will be a major issue come the end days.  According to Ezekiel 38, Israel will be regathered and living in peace – no “walls, bars or gates”.  Implied is that in prior days they were living under threat and in fear.  Today, even with USA support, Israel is armored to the teeth.  So something is going to change to cause Israel to lay down her defenses.

Daniel 9 reports that a powerful leader of ten nations (Dan 2) will sign a treaty with Israel.  That implies that the United States has either turned away from Israel, is one of the ten nations, or is no longer a power.  That leader will enter into a support agreement with Israel causing an internal peace.  The relationship of the USA with Israel is going to change – and maybe soon!]

I love the USA and pray that God will withhold judgment and continue to use her for good.

May the hope of Bates be our hope:  beautiful cities without tears and brotherhood from sea to sea.