Patriotism
In this great land we call America, we seem to have lost something...and I challenge you to find it. It's not your watch or your keys.... It's your patriotism, it's your honor and commitment to your country that was founded on the principles of God's own law. As Paul said in Romans 8:31 "If God be for us, who can be against us?" Our founding fathers believed this with all their hearts and founded our this country accordingly.
If I may share with you the words of a preacher I heard some while back.
Imagine if you will: A man, about 25-30 years of age, unshaven; the last time he ate was 3 maybe 4 days ago. His clothes are torn and dirty and stained with blood from battle. He stands guard amidst the blowing snow and sub-zero weather with an old musket, fire in his eyes, and zeal in his heart for his country, whose freedom he's trying to win. He speaks to us from the past that winter day at Valley Forge, PA, circa 1776.
In a chattering, frozen voice he screams to be heard over the howling winds from the blizzard of change.
I fought in the snow with no shoes or warm clothes to ensure your right to vote. -- You stayed home because of rain.
I gave up my home to protect your right to bear arms and protect yourself. -- You let your guns be taken in the name of domestic peace and crime prevention.
I widowed my wife to give you a government to serve you. -- You allowed the special interest groups to run it and control you.
I orphaned my children to give you a constitution that your children are now too illiterate to read and your courts choose to ignore.
It is I, the soldier, that assures your right to free speech--not the reporter.
It is I, the soldier, that assures your right to express yourself--not the poet.
I the soldier assure your right to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness--not the lawyers.
I am the soldier that salutes the flag.
I am the soldier that serves the flag. The same flag that drapes over the coffin where my body lies because I was killed in battle assuring the protester the right to burn that same flag.
I feel confident that we all agree on the fact that this country is in great peril. The only answer I see is prayer. Prayer for this country, its leaders, and most of all its citizens. If every God fearing American would take this matter to prayer with the zeal and fervor of that cold and hungry soldier, there would be a revival in this land unmatched throughout history. Look at Nineveh of Assyria. Jonah didn't even like these people but there was an outpouring of the Holy Spirit upon that whole city because one man shared the word of god with them. If God will do that under those circumstances, just imagine what he could do here if we all sincerely prayed about it. Jesus tells us in Matthew 17:20, "If ye have faith as a grain of mustard seed, ye shall say unto this mountain, Remove hence to yonder place; and it shall remove; and nothing shall be impossible unto you."
There are many things God asks us to do that we come up with all kinds of excuses for. I know because I've used most of them myself. "Sorry Lord, can't give any money this week; had to buy a new CD or some other unimportant object." Sorry Lord, didn't have time to visit the sick or call my mother." "Sorry Lord, I didn't do what you asked, I'll think up an excuse later."
The one thing we have no excuse for is prayer. It doesn't cost money and you don't have to go any place special to do it. But it does take commitment and sincerity....It has to come from the heart.
There are many examples throughout the Bible, too many to name off individually, of people both Jews and Gentiles, Hebrews and heathens, that have cried out to the Lord and He has shown mercy and poured out His blessings upon them. I don't think its too late--we can all pray; the rich, the poor, the young, the old, and everyone in the middle.
I would ask you now to join me in prayer: "Dear Heavenly Father, please look upon us with your loving grace and allow us to thank you for the great and wonderful things you've done for us, Lord. Most of all, we thank you for allowing your Son, Jesus, to die that horrible death to pay for our sins.... We ask you at this time to watch over our country, and guide its leaders in the paths of righteousness and keep its citizens safe from the evil one. In Christ's name we pray, Amen.
—Harrison Sanders
