Grace be unto you, and peace, from God our Father, and from the Lord Jesus Christ. Amen.

           Text: Deuteronomy 6:1-9

These are the commands, decrees, and laws the Lord your God directed me to teach you to observe in the land that you are crossing the Jordan to possess, so that you, your children and their children after them may fear the Lord your God as long as you live by keeping all his decrees and commands that I give you, and so that you may enjoy long life. Hear, O Israel, and be careful to obey so that it may go well with you and that you may increase greatly in a land flowing with milk and honey, just as the Lord, the God of your fathers, promised you. Hear, O Israel: the Lord our God is one Lord. Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength. These commandments that I give you today are to be upon your hearts. Impress them on your children. Talk about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up. Tie them as symbols on your hands and bind them on your foreheads. Write them on the doorframes of your houses and on your gates.

In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.

Dear Friends in Christ Jesus:

           The words of the text were given by God to the nation of Israel, His chosen people, just as they were about to enter the land of Canaan, the land which God had promised them. And when the same words are read today in our land, we can’t help but see the comparison between the land of Canaan and America. Today, we emphasize the fact that our forefathers made no attempt to put God aside or forget about Him in their endeavors. For our leaders were convinced that, if a new nation was to be established and was to flourish – the Lord God could not be forgotten.

           And today we again observe the anniversary of the declaration of our national independence. One nation, under God! We celebrate that it was under the Lord God that our nation was established – and for two hundred and forty-five years has prospered. We today acknowledge and praise God for His goodness and many great blessings. And it’s important that we, as a church, join together for this kind of celebration – especially since it’s only the Word of God that can guide the citizens of our nation to the kind of observance that’s really pleasing to the Lord.

           In many ways, America stands parallel to Canaan, the Promised Land, “a land flowing with milk and honey”. It’s a tremendous thing to realize that God has blessed this land so greatly. And it’s no wonder that by so many throughout the world – America is seen as a promised land. But, what about the future of our nation?

           The words of the text serve as an introduction to God’s mighty acts by which He established a new nation and gave the people of Israel in Canaan a constitution based on religious principles. It is written that the people of Israel were to write these principles on the doorframes of their homes and on their gates – to serve as a constant reminder of God and His presence. In the same way, the founding fathers of our country took the phrase – “In God We Trust” – and made it America’s guiding principle – to impress on all of us the central position that God ought to occupy in our individual lives and in the life of our nation.

           Unfortunately, today, America has witnessed a decline in the original intent of our forefathers. For our nation has strayed from God in its attitudes, values, and ideals. America is no longer the godly nation it has been in the past. What, then, does the future hold? Let’s first look at God’s guiding principles as they pertain to the prosperity of a nation. God, through Moses, made it clear to the people of Israel that His promises to them as a nation – depended only upon their continuing to love, serve, and obey Him. And if these same principles were applied to us today, what would be said about our society? Have we kept all the commands, decrees, and laws that God has given us? Have we continued to love, serve, and trust in Him alone? America enjoys God’s blessings. However, these blessings make us vulnerable to ungodly lifestyles. Today, people just don’t have time for God. For many, God has become meaningless and unimportant.

           In spite of this, God has kept His promises to us. Just as the people of Israel prospered in the Promised Land, so we also have been blessed and have prospered in this land. And the riches of our country ought to amaze us. Our nation is filled with God’s rich blessings. So, how do we respond to His goodness? Our success seems to make us feel less dependent on God – and therefore less motivated in our faith and in our thankfulness to God. And the danger of being so caught up with success and what success brings as to forget about God and His blessings – had been anticipated by Moses when he spoke to the people of Israel as they were about to enter the Promised Land.

           And like the people of Israel, who enjoyed freedom in a new land following their slavery in Egypt, we also enjoy freedom and a spirit of independence. Yet, this freedom can also lead to problems in our land – an abuse of liberty, selfishness, and a license to promote our own personal interests. This self-centeredness shows itself in a variety of ways – in the exploitation of others, in lovelessness, in a lack of concern for those in need, and in prejudice. We’ve placed other things before God. We think of ourselves and of our own needs, wants, and desires. And the result of this – is a selfish nation, a people bent on destroying themselves.

           Haven’t we tried to make God obsolete? We’re tempted to brag about our accomplishments and achievements, and in our pride – to replace God. However, this temptation was also evident among the people of Israel. And yet, the Lord attempted to keep them humble, to keep the people of Israel from sinful pride. In the same way, the Lord uses reminders to show us that we’re helpless without Him. Throughout our history, God has been showing us that we’re completely dependent on Him.

           God has taught us humility. And today, God is inviting us to meet the challenge He sets before us. He says – “If my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then will I hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and heal their land.” So, our success depends on our willingness to humble ourselves, to repent of our arrogance and self-reliance, and to return to God’s principles for prosperity. “Hear…the Lord our God in one Lord. Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength.”

           Returning to God requires that we identify the Lord who reveals Himself to us in Jesus Christ. For it’s through Him that we’ve been reconciled to God, by His blood that we’ve been redeemed. But it’s necessary not only for us to identify the Lord, but also to identify ourselves with Him – before the health of our nation can be restored. There are many competing ideas and conflicting values in our world today, each trying to claim our allegiance, our loyalty, and our obedience. But God tells us, just as He told the nation of Israel – “I am the Lord your God, who brought you out of Egypt, out of the land of slavery. You shall have no other gods before me.”

           We recognize all the blessings He gives us, and we’re privileged to live in God’s world. We’ve heard the message of His love as He claimed us to be His people, that love which is shown in the sending of His Son into the world to be our Savior. And we appreciate our unique identity with God – and receive meaning for our lives in Jesus Christ.

           America has indeed been blessed by God. And all of His goodness ought to motivate us to hear and follow His words. Throughout this great nation, praise and thanksgiving ought to come forth from us and be offered to God. Solomon wrote – “Righteousness exalts a nation, but sin is a disgrace to any people.” And this kind of righteousness is developed within a nation by us following the words and living in the love of our God. May God bless our nation today and in the future, just as He has in the past. For in Him, there’s forgiveness and healing. Through Him, there’s freedom and life. Amen.

The peace of God, which passes all understanding, keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus. Amen. 

Authored by Reverend Carl Trosien.