O' AMERICA

We all need to have hope that this nation will return to its godly roots. God tells us that “if My people who are called by My name will humble themselves, and pray and seek My face, and turn from their wicked ways, (anything that contradicts the Word of God),  then I will hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin and heal their land” (2 Chronicles 7:14 NKJV).  

King Solomon finished the temple of the Lord and the royal palace, and successfully carried out all the sacrifices to the Lord. He then sent the people to their homes with joy and gladness in their hearts because of the good things the Lord had done for Solomon and for Israel (2 Chronicles 7:10).

Unfortunately, the Israelites had a reputation of joyfully following God for a period of time but then backsliding and returning to their pagan ways…very much like America. So, the Lord appeared to Solomon one night to remind him of God’s agreement with Israel—if the people obeyed God and followed His precepts, they would be blessed. If they disobeyed, they would be judged, for judgment was meant to bring the people to repentance. God then assured Solomon that He would surely deliver them from judgment, if they humbled themselves, prayed, and repented (2 Chronicles 11-12).

This scripture is God’s reminder of His faithfulness to America and to those who will humble themselves, repent, pray, and seek His face. Then He will hear those prayers and fulfill His promise to heal our land, for the prayers of a righteous person are powerful and effective (James 5:16). 

What is God’s definition of righteous? “The righteous live by faith” (Habakkuk 2:4). “For only by faith in Christ are we made righteous” (Romans 5:19). To possess righteousness is to have right standing with God. God is looking for people of faith who look to Him, believe His Word, and live by His Word. We cannot place our faith in the government, leaders, the economy, wealth, health, ourselves, or anything else that we might depend upon. God wants us to wait upon Him.

What does it mean to “wait upon the Lord?” Waiting upon God requires a total dependence on Him and our willingness to accept His terms, including the timing of His plan. His timing is never our timing and His ways are far above our ways, “for as the heavens are higher than the earth, so My ways are higher than your ways and My thoughts than your thoughts” (Isaiah 55:9) That is why He calls us to trust Him and not what we see.

Recently, I was listening to “O’ America,” written by Irish lyricist, Brendan Graham. He had written the song for the Irish singing group, Celtic Woman, who had requested a song that would show their appreciation for America’s opened arms to their ancestors who came through Ellis Island for a new beginning in “the land of opportunity.” 

As I was listening to the beautiful lyrics, I heard in my spirit a different interpretation. I was hearing this song as God’s response to all who have been praying and fasting for America to repent and turn back to her Christian roots. This song ministered to my heart, so I took the liberty to capitalize the pronouns and change “sun” to (Son). Hopefully, this will fill your hearts with hope and encourage you to keep praying for America and for her leaders.

O’ AMERICA

O, America you're calling,
I can hear you calling Me,
You are calling Me to be true to thee,
True to thee I will be.

O, America no weeping,
Let me heal your wounded heart.
I will keep you in my keeping,
Till there be, a new start.

And I will answer you, and I will take your hand,
And lead you to the [Son]
And I will stand by you, do all that I can do,
And we will be as one.

O, America I hear you,
From your prairies to the sea,
From your mountains grand, and all through this land,
You are beautiful to Me.

And, O, America you're calling,
I can hear you calling Me,
You are calling Me to be true to thee,
True to thee, I will be.

And I will answer you, and I will take your hand,
And lead you, to the [Son]
And I will stand by you, do all that I can do,
And we will be, as one.

O, America you're calling,
I will ever answer thee.

PRAYER: FATHER, I humbly come before You and ask for Your mercy, according to Your lovingkindness, for I acknowledge my transgressions and my failure to place You first in my life. Help me surrender my will to Your will each and every day. Create in me a clean heart and an unwavering spirit that boldly follows You without fear. In Jesus’ name, amen.

O’ America’s original music, sung by Celtic Women, can be viewed on YouTube.            

 Picture courtesy of aaron-burden-9C8r4QUwZRQ-unsplash.jpg