One Nation, Under God

Those who will not learn from history will repeat the mistakes of others. The people of Israel are a prime example.

About 1300 years before Christ, the people of Israel were finished with their wilderness wandering and were ready to enter the promised land. Moses reminded them of the commandments of God and the special relationship that they had with God.

His words in Deuteronomy 4:6-9 describe that relationship: “what great nation is there that has a god so near to it as the Lord our God is to us when we call upon Him?”

Moses urged people to remain faithful to God and obey His commandments. God was faithful to His people. Time and again, He raised up leaders who urged the people to remain faithful to God. But so often that people turned their back on God, disobeyed His commandments and bought into idols of wood and stone.

About 700 years later, the descendants of this rebellious people would be taken away into the Babylonian captivity. The few who returned from that experience had a fragile independence until they were governed by the Greeks, Romans and other foreign countries. Modern Israel occupies the land but the glory of the ancient Israel is gone.

Look at America today. What has happened to the 10 commandments? Removed from public buildings and disobeyed with impunity. God is near to all people and yet who calls upon him? Once a great nation respected by all other nations, is in decline. Elections will happen soon but will they make any difference?

Even if a leader like Moses were elected it would still depend upon the individual person, on you and me, to return to the commandments and to do them. God is merciful, he is near to each one of us. Acknowledge the Lord to be our God, pray to Him, live according to His commandments. By the grace of God, it could be said again of America “what a great nation.”

Elmer Schiefer
Pastor, Family of Christ Lutheran Church
elmer@myglobalemail.com
573-529-0584