The Hope of a Nation

What is the hope of a nation?  How can the people that make up a nation’s citizenship expect continued prosperity in this world?  Election time is approaching and the political rhetoric has been heating up on both sides.  People are anxious about the future of our country, and although the USA is still the most prosperous nation on earth, many Americans are struggling.  I believe that it is in times like these that we must remember the hope of our nation is not in the White House.  Bigger government will not solve our every woe, and shrewder financial decisions will not bring healing to our land.  The hope of our nation is found in God’s house, the church of the Lord Jesus Christ.  These words are attributed to Alexis de Tocqueville (19th century), “I sought for the greatness and genius of America in her commodious harbors and her ample rivers - and it was not there . . . in her fertile fields and boundless forests and it was not there . . . in her rich mines and her vast world commerce - and it was not there . . . in her democratic Congress and her matchless Constitution - and it was not there. Not until I went into the churches of America and heard her pulpits flame with righteousness did I understand the secret of her genius and power. America is great because she is good, and if America ever ceases to be good, she will cease to be great.”  The hope of our nation is found in the churches which are proclaiming the righteousness of God and the merciful love He has extended to all through Jesus Christ.  Loving our enemies, sacrificing self for the good of others, taking care of the poor and needy, and religious freedom are all American ideas because they were first Christian ideals.  2 Chronicles 7:14 is a promise from God to His people, “if My people who are called by My name will humble themselves, and pray and seek My face, and turn form their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin and heal their land.”  This is a promise to God’s people, which is today the churches of Jesus.  As the churches go, so the nation will go.  The hope of our nation is for people to turn to God, one heart at a time.  America must never cease to be good, or she will indeed cease to be great.