Let’s Not Take Blessings for Granted

“And I have given you a land for which ye did not labour, and cities which ye built not, and ye dwell in them; of the vineyards and olive-yards which ye planted not do ye eat.” Joshua 24:13

Joshua gathered all of Israel to present themselves before the LORD.  Joshua began to recite the history of their nation and how God had been with them, from Abraham to Isaac to Jacob, to Moses and Aaron, who led them out of Egypt.  He reminded them of the Red Sea miracle, and how God gave them victory over all their surrounding enemies.  None of their successes were due to their own hand.  Had God not been with them, they would have failed at every turn and most likely would have ceased to exist as a nation.

Then, as if that wasn’t enough of which to be blessed, God provided for them the choice land of Israel, already filled with cities, houses, vineyards, and olive trees just for the taking.  A few years ago I heard a man speak who had just returned from Lebanon on a mission trip to minister to refugees from Iraq and Syria.  He said he stood near the border of Israel and could see the lushness and beauty of the land of Israel, but behind him lay the barren, dusty land of Lebanon.  He commented that it was quite a contrast.

Even though Israel was disobedient, God still blesses them with a choice land and continues to protect them.  But, as God promised, their disobedience has caused them a great deal of misery.  While He has protected their homeland, He has allowed them to suffer the consequences of rejecting the Lord Jesus Christ.  God, in His sovereignty and righteousness, has every right to judge those who have failed to honor Christ as Lord.

The United States of America is not specifically written about in scripture, but she was founded upon the principles of freedom, love of country, and, most of all, the worship, honor, and respect of the LORD God.  It is no secret that God has blessed the USA abundantly, and she is one of the most favored nations on earth because of her founding upon God’s Holy Word.  We stand at a crossroads this November.  Either we continue in freedom to work, play, raise families, and worship as we see fit, or we will be forced to follow policies that will take away our God-given freedoms.  There is much more at stake in this upcoming election than personalities.  Former President Ronald Reagan said, “If we ever forget that we are one nation under God then we will be a nation gone under.”  Which way will we go?