Blessed is the Nation whose God is the Lord

We’re not certain, but there is a good chance that King David penned the words of Psalm 33.

David would have had good perspective to say “Blessed is the nation whose God is the Lord.”

Thirty-two opposing kings awaited Joshua and the nation of Israel in battle when they crossed the River Jordan. Each of those thrones would eventually fall.

On one occasion, 135,000 Midianites on camels came into the land of Israel. There were so many, that the Israelites ran for their lives and hid in the hills. Yet God took Gideon and 300 men and defeated those 135,000. We’re told in Judges 8, “During Gideon’s lifetime, the land enjoyed peace for 40 years.” Judges 8:28

In 2 Samuel 5 we read that immediately after David became King in Israel, he went up to look at the city of Jerusalem which was held by an enemy group called the Jebusites. The city was so highly fortified, built on a high bluff that the Jebusites told David, “Even our blind and lame can fight off your soldiers.” The battle is recorded in one verse, “Nevertheless, David captured the fortress of Zion.” 2 Samuel 5:7

A few verses down from Psalm 33:12, that same writer adds: “The king is not saved by his great army. A warrior is not delivered by his great strength. The war horse is a false hope for salvation, and by its great might it cannot rescue.” Psalm 33:16-17

Still, it happened that after all of God’s great works, the people were quick to forget that the God of the Bible was the basis of their strength.

King David even experienced this himself. On one occasion, David decided to do something that doesn’t even seem all that serious to us… he went out and counted all his soldiers to see how strong he was. The leader of the army, Joab, told David not to do this. David did it anyway, counted over 1 million, and suddenly a plague killed 70,000… God’s judgement for relying on human strength rather than upon the Lord.

How often are we not blind to see how gracious God has been to us as a people of the United States of America? Because, if we look back, we would see that the goodness of this or any nation is a gift from God.

God has such a spiritual solution ready at hand for those nations which are ready to try it.

God told Solomon that “If his nation would

a) humble themselves and pray

b) seek His face and turn from their wicked ways

then God said he would hear their prayer, forgive their sin and heal their land.” (2 Chronicles 7:14)

And just how do nations humble themselves? It only takes place when individual citizens like you and I recognize that we are sinners who too often try to go it alone without God. It takes place, when we realize that the solution to our greatest ills will not be found in the local court house, or the state house, nor in the White House.

Greater than a Declaration of Independence, is a declaration of dependence upon Jesus Christ . . .who is “the Lord”, spoken about in Psalm 33:12.

How can we improve our nation? It sounds an awful lot like the question that people asked of Jesus in John 6: Master, how can we do the works that God requires?

Jesus replied, “Believe in the One He has sent.”

In His Servic

John Lehenbauer, Pastor

Christ Lutheran Church and School

Perry, Georgia

christlutheranperry@gmail.com

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