By definition, patriotism is loyalty to one’s nation. It encompasses love, devotion, and being on the side of its leaders. One day, the government of the entire world will be upon the shoulders of Jesus Christ. Isaiah 9:6. “The kingdom of the world has become the Kingdom of our Lord and His Messiah, and He will reign forever and ever!” Revelation 11:15. From the beginning of time, God designated a nation of people, who would be devoted to Him, from every nation of the world. A great nation within them all.
Patriotism.
By Andrea Marino While reading a passage in the Old Testament about the land God was leading His people to, the words of the song, “This Land is Your Land” came to my mind. As the Promised Land was given to the people of Israel, so God gave America to the Founding Fathers. With these thoughts, I smiled and whispered, ‘mine eyes have seen the glory of the coming of the Lord’ from “Battle Hymn of the Republic”. This song speaks of victory in Jesus. Doing some research, I learned that in 1861, during the Civil War, the words floated into Julia Ward Howe’s head. She became a leader in the women’s suffrage movement of 1865. Oddly enough, her song is labeled an ‘American song of grief’. The song is part of American culture, nevertheless. Openly sung during the funeral procession of Robert F. Kennedy and referred to by Martin Luther King in his last public address, Americans sang it after the terrorist attack of 911. To read through the stanzas of Julia’s song is to be inspired, encouraged, and uplifted in a sense of patriotism loyalty - to our country, especially given our current time of war with an unseen virus that is as well taking place all over the globe. May the words of the “Battle Hymn of the Republic” strengthen our hearts today and unite us all in the USA.
8FAITH | MON AG A ZEVERY INE NAM E CORNER
Whoever is a blood-bought child of God through Jesus is part of this nation, heir to the promise given to Abraham. Romans 10:12, 13. The ‘land flowing with milk and honey’ refers to the liberation and salvation, offered by the grace of God through the finished work of His Son, to every single person. The prophet, Isaiah, had a vision of the Lord seated on the throne, His glory filling the whole earth. The heavens still shout the glory of the Lord today. God desires to reveal His glory before all people. Isaiah 6:1, Psalm 19:1, Leviticus 10:3. I believe everything that happens, both good and bad, is for the advancement of the gospel as the apostle Paul puts forth in Philippians 1:12. Jesus calls His followers “salt of the earth”, “light of the world”, “a city on a hill”. Mathew 5:13,14. What better sense of Patriotism can there be than serving our Lord. The god of this world has blinded the minds of unbelievers. They are lost and cannot see the gospel of the glory of the Lord. 2 Corinthians 4:4. I see a day approaching when people who do not know Jesus will grasp something different about us. Around us. Rahab took note. She hid the two spies who had gone to Jericho to scout out the land. She said to them, “I know that the Lord has given you this land and that the terror of you has fallen on us, and everyone who lives in the land is panicking because of you.” Indeed, these enemies of Israel had heard that God dried up the waters of the Red Sea, that they had completely destroyed two Amorite kings across the Jordan. “When we heard this, we lost heart, and everyone’s courage failed because of you, for the Lord your God is God in heaven above and on earth below.” Joshua 2:8-11.
