TOP TEN REASONS STEPHEN BLY’S THANKFUL FOR USA

Our son, Aaron, studied government, history, and political science in college. He followed a long line of Blys with political opinions on every issue. Each one could state top ten reasons about any topic.
The summer I turned twenty, a year from being allowed to vote, I ran a field campaign for a man elected to the California State Assembly. Then he appointed me his Administrative Assistant. I learned much from that experience, including top ten reasons of what is good and bad about our system of government.

10. Our beautiful, diverse country.

We see God’s handiwork in nature.
“I tell you,” he replied, “if they keep quiet, the stones will cry out.” (Luke 19:40)
Creation praises God. From the lighthouse off he New Hampshire coast to the Florida Keys. From the mountains of Alaska to the deserts of Arizona. At Independence Pass, where it’s over 12,000 feet.

9. An affluent nation.

We have much opportunity to do good for the whole planet. That includes our ability to support global evangelism. “Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of he Father and Son and Holy Spirit.” (Matthew 28:1)

8. A proud history.

“They were longing for a better country, a heavenly one. Therefore God is not ashamed to be called their God, for he has prepared a city for them.” (Hebrews 11:16)
Founding fathers, James Madison and Thomas Jefferson said things like, “Our liberties are a gift of God.”
We owe so very much to the sacrifice of our soldiers. Winston Churchill, in the middle of the bombing of England, heard of America’s entry into WWII, and said, “That’s how this will turn out! We will win!”

7. Our system of government recognizes the sinful nature of humans.

“The heart is deceitful above all things and beyond cure. Who can understand it?” Jeremiah 17:9
We focus on balances of power.
How different was the American revolution of 1776 and the French revolution 13 years later. The French revolution’s constitution lasted one year. Anarchists executed each other by the tens of thousands. They determined to destroy prejudice by doctrines that believed in the “limitless perfectibility of the human species.”

6. We’re privileged to pay taxes.

With anarchy or totalitarianism, the ruler gets everything.
I believe in paying a fair share for services we receive. For the best trained and equipped armed services in the world. A city sewer system and chlorine water piped into our houses. Safety regulations for transportation. For our schools and roads and space adventures. When we pay taxes, we own part of the country. We want to make sure those in charge take good care of the investment.

5. Our judicial system is based on punishing evil and rewarding good.

Take two celebrated court cases—O.J. Simpson and Timothy McVeigh. The general consensus was outrage over the Simpson verdict and rejoicing for McVeigh outcome. Why? Because we live in a land that we still believe wickedness should be penalized and innocence redressed.
Why does the system sometimes fail?
See point 7 … the sinful nature of all humankind.

4.We’re free to worship when, where, and how we please.

This country founded on diversity. Each group was given the right to practice their faith. Like democracy, this was an experimental concept. Freedom of worship had never been tried before.
As Christians, we each have a part to play in Christ’s Kingdom. We can best accomplish this when we’re in the right location, with our appointed team of people.

3. The Scriptures nudge us.

“Remind the people to be subject to rulers and authorities, to be obedient, to be ready to do whatever is good.” Titus 3:1
“Submit yourselves for the Lord’s sake to every authority instituted among men; whether to the king, as the supreme authority, or to governors who are sent by him to punish those who do wrong and to commend those who do right. For it is God’s will that by doing good you should silence the ignorant talk of foolish men.” 1 Peter 2:13-15

2. We’re free to evangelize.

We can do the Great Commission. In a majority of countries around the world, there’s no freedom to make converts.

1. Top reason – it’s God’s wisdom and His will.

“See the peace and prosperity of the city to which I have carried you into exile. Pray to the Lord for it, because if it prospers, you too will prosper.” Jeremiah 29:7
He put you and me in the right place.
He’s in control of the present situation.
In our present circumstances, He loves and cares for us.

Top Ten Reasons Conclusion:

On this day, I choose not to focus on the sins of this nation, on men’s failures. Instead, I celebrate God’s goodness to us, in spite of it all.
Generation after generation has acknowledged God’s hand in leading our country.

“O thus be it ever, when free men shall stand between their loved homes and the war’s desolation! Blest with victory and peace, may the heaven rescued land praise the Power that hath made and preserved us a nation! Then conquer we must, when our cause it is just; and this be our motto: ‘in God is our trust.’ And the star spangled banner in triumph shall wave. O’er the land of the free and the home of the brave.”
(Star Spangled Banner, 2nd verse)

No system of government is perfect.
As long as we humans are sinful and separated from God, there will be failures, man-made disasters, and even horrible atrocities. We can’t overlook those things. They may, at times, deserve our full-scale attention. Then, we must try to work for change. We also should acknowledge God’s goodness. He loaned us this country. It’s part of our stewardship, our responsibility.

What a great God we serve. He is worthy of our praise and worship, our honor and thanksgiving. Among other wonderful, amazing blessings, He allowed us to live at this time, in this place.
Thank God for the U.S.A!

Stephen Bly
Copyright©1998

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Awakening Your Sense of Wonder, a good resource for Homeschool moms WONDER BOOK