In God We Trust?
The term, "In God We Trust" was adopted as our country's official motto in 1956. It has been printed on our money for the last sixty years! Every time you handle paper money of any amount, you're handling the official currency of the United States of America. And printed on our currency, for all the world to see, are the words, "In God We Trust".
I appreciate the quote from philosopher Bertrand Russell, who states, "In all affairs, it's a healthy thing now and then to hang a question mark on the things you have long taken for granted." So in that spirit, do we, as a country, really trust in God? Is America a God-Trusting Nation?
If I were a citizen of another country, on the outside looking in, would I be inclined to say that America is a God-trusting nation? Would I say that Americans are a people who trust in God? Some foreigners may be more inclined to say that Americans trust in the "almighty" dollar, or in their powerful military.
Is this question even relevant for us today? In other words, what does it matter that we trust in God? It matters greatly because the Bible states in Psalm 33:12, "Blessed is the nation whose God is the LORD." The psalmist is referring specifically to the nation of Israel in this verse, but any nation that aligns itself with the LORD God of the Bible will be blessed from on High. "For the eyes of the LORD run to and fro throughout the whole earth, to shew himself strong in the behalf of them whose heart is perfect toward him." (2 Chronicles 16:9a).
Is America a God-trusting nation? It's an important question because blessings abound for the nation whose God is the LORD. But that's just one side of the coin, for the same Bible states, "Righteousness exalteth a nation: but sin is a reproach to any people" (Proverbs 13:34 KJV). According to Scripture, righteous acts exalts a nation, but sin is the downfall of a nation.
The nation of Israel serves as an example of a people who claimed to trust in the LORD but their actions showed otherwise. God said of them, "I have seen your adulteries and your lustful neighings, the lewdness of your harlotry, your abominations on the hills in the fields. Woe to you, O Jerusalem." (Jeremiah 13:27 NKJV).
See my post, "Can a zebra change his stripes?" for a closer look at how JAH judged Israel when she, as a nation, forgot Him and trusted in lies. It's not a pretty picture! They trusted in lies instead of the living God and they were harshly punished.
How can we, as a country, avoid that same fate? I think we do so by not just showing on our money the words "In God we Trust", but also by showing by our actions that our God is the LORD. And if our God is the LORD, we will submit to His will and follow His directives in the WORD. We demonstrate that we trust in God by doing His will!
My heart's desire is for national and international revival. That's the motive for starting this website. FEARJAH.COM is a movement of the people, moved by the Spirit, to call the nations of the world to stand in awe of the Most High God (see Psalm 33). We seek to inspire individuals, groups and those in authority to walk in the fear of the LORD. By trusting in sacred promises, such as 2 Chronicles 7:13-14 and 16:9, we will set in motion the winds of revival and restoration throughout this country and the nations of the world.
In God we Trust? It's my solemn prayer that we do just that!
Grace, Peace and Jahspeed!