The USA Is That 4×4

The United States has proven to be the vehicle of choice for the rescuing of other vehicles because of a proven track record of doing so.

When a rig slides down a long embankment…

or a vehicle gets bogged down in a swamp…

or a car is incapacitated on ice…

or a pickup is stalled without power…

What does one do?  Call AAA, one’s insurance company, a family member or friend, or a tow company.  One needs a rescue vehicle able to provide the needed help.

On the world scene, countries get stalled, troubled, weak, and a host of other things thereby needing help. Over the decades, the United States might be likened to a one-ton pickup of rare capacity – great oversized knobby tires, a four-wheel drive, a super-high capacity winch, great horsepower, and all the extra lights ever needed.  It is a vehicle that can do!

So when France was swept over by the mudslide of Nazism – who rescued them?

When Kuwait was choked and dead from a dust storm caused by Saddam – who rescued them?

When Indonesia was swept up in a flash flood due to a great underwater earthquake – who rescued them?

When Germany was wrecked by a terrible driver named Hitler – who rescued them?

When African nations were stuck financially from violence or plague – who rescued them?

When country after country spurted and crashed and when socialism/communism failed – to whom did they look for a model and for help?

The USA has been from its inception a nation given to a “more perfect union” thus recognizing things weren’t perfect even at the outset and maybe not the best when first launched.  She acknowledged that there was work to do, especially with the slavery, even in those first days.  She recognized her imperfections and was even then looking to God for wisdom and help.  After the victory in Europe and on the Pacific rim in the mid-twentieth century, she knew that she was greatly aided and blest against a very powerful and advanced foe.  Germany was militarily more advanced and was a seasoned and fierce fighting machine.  The United States entered into war with the Axis powers needing divine help AND got it!  Thus, a few years after WWII, two phrases were added to her vocabulary: “In God we trust” and “One nation under God.”

The United States has been a beacon of hope to the world.  And not only a beacon, she has been a help.  When other countries were devastated due to floods or storms (literal or other), broken as to their motor (government not functioning), mired in muck (debt and anarchy), or stuck in conflict (as France or Poland); who was looked to and called?  The United States!  The United States came as a heavy lifter and strong puller, as a “can do” and “will do” machine, and as a friend in a time of need.

The United States is one big and impressive 4×4 rescue machine.  Most of the world knows so – or at least used to think so.  It is so sad that too many today in the United States haven’t considered her role in world affairs to see the great blessing she has been and are thus not given to honoring her.

As we pause this weekend for Memorial Day, may we pick up a history book, read and ponder.  May we have a renewed or new appreciation for what God has wrought using this 4×4 vehicle called the United States.  May she have many serving miles left in her for the good of the globe.