God Bless America!

Today is Veterans Day which originally was celebrated as Armistice Day. President Woodrow Wilson first proclaimed Armistice Day for November 11, 1919. In proclaiming this holiday, he said:

"To us in America, the reflections of Armistice Day will be filled with solemn pride in the heroism of those who died in the country's service and with gratitude for the victory, both because of the thing from which it has freed us and because of the opportunity it has given America to show her sympathy with peace and justice in the councils of the nations.”

Those who served and now serve our country, do so because they believe America is worth fighting for. America is in an unprecedented war between conservatives and liberals. Intolerance for biblical values seems to have permeated every sector of our culture. How we need the help of God in this country!

Irving Berlin immigrated to America from Russia with his family when he was five years old. During his life, he became known as one of the most prolific songwriters in history. In 1938, Irving Berlin revised a song he had written earlier entitled, “God Bless America”. The song took the form of a prayer for God’s blessing and peace on this great nation. Singer Kate Smith sang the song on her radio broadcast on Armistice Day (Now Veterans Day) in 1938:

While the storm clouds gather far across the sea,

Let us swear allegiance to a land that’s free,

Let us all be grateful for a land so fair,

Through the night with the light from above.r.

God Bless American, land that I love

Stand beside her and guide her

Through the night with the light from above.

From the mountains to the prairies,

To the oceans white with foam,

God Bless America, my home sweet home!

The hope for America is God’s Word, God’s Church and God’s Presence. God’s People, though but a remnant, through repentance and prayer, can turn the tide of this nation. May the Lord help us to influence those we lead to exercise God’s unfailing promise:

“If my people who are called by my name, shall humble themselves and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, forgive their sin and heal their land.”

(2 Chronicles 7:14)