When it is said that America needs to repent and turn to God so He can bless it, what does that mean? Do we expect to be shielded from the ups and downs of global economic cycles? To avoid natural disasters such as Hurricane Sandy? To have prosperity in an abundance of material possessions?
In OT Hebrew the word “bless” comes from a root meaning to kneel, i.e., to recognize and value the person being blessed. When the Psalmist sang “Bless the Lord, O My Soul”, he is not suggesting that we somehow enrich God, but that we appreciate the attributes of God and express praise for all that He is.
The Patriarchs uttered blessings over their sons. They recognized and verbalized characteristics of each child and encouraged that child to reach his full potential.
God’s “blessing” to have us reach our full potential may include suffering. His glory (the expression of His character and attributes) sometimes shines brightest thru us in bleak times. God has chosen to use flawed human beings to display His glory. Hard as it is for us to accept, God even uses flawed politicians to accomplish His purposes. God is in control. We have only limited influence in our culture and country; we do have total control, however, over whether we as individuals submit to the Holy Spirit who works thru us to display God’s glory.
We do not turn to God so that we can prosper, but so that His glory is displayed. “God bless America” is not a magical incantation to bring wealth and an absence of trouble, but an invitation to help us reach our full potential to bring glory to Him no matter the circumstances.
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