Should God bless America?

In a culture that discounts God, it has become popular to tag the benediction, “God bless America,” at the end of speeches.

But why should He?

In the Bible, blessing of God was conditionally promised

• In response to obedience to Him. (See Genesis 22:18, Deut. 7:12-14,  Deut. 11:26-29, Deut. 15:4-6, Deut. 28:1-13, Deut. 30:16)
• In response to proper and sincere worship of Him. (Ex. 23:24-26)
• To those who were generous toward the poor and who cared for the vulnerable. (Deut. 15:9-11, Deut. 24:19, Proverbs 14:21, Proverbs 22:9)
• When others are treated with compassion (Deut. 15:17-19, Deut. 23:20, Psalm 41:1).
• To those who delight in God’s Word and don’t take ungodly counsel. (Psalm 1)
• To those who take refuge in Him (Psalm 2:12, Psalm 34:8)
• To the righteous (Psalm 5:12)
• To the nation whose God is the Lord. (Psalm 33:12)
• To those who trust in God. (Psalm 40:4, Psalm 84:12, Proverbs 16:20, Jeremiah 17:7)
• To those who walk with Him. (Psalm 89:15-16)
• To those who act justly and always do what is right. (Psalm 106:3)
• To those who fear God and find great delight in His commands. (Psalm 112:1-3, Psalm 115:13, Psalm 128:1,4)
• To the blameless, who walk according to the law of the Lord, who keep His statutes and seek Him with all their hearts. (Psalm 119:1, 2)
• To those whose hope is in the Lord. (Psalm 146:5)
• To those who wait for Him (Isaiah 30:18)
• To the poor in spirit, the mourners, the meek, those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, the merciful, the pure in heart, the peacemakers, those who are persecuted for the sake of righteousness, those who are insulted and falsely accused on account of Christ (Matthew 5:3-11)
• To those who call on the name of the Lord (Romans 10:12,13)
• To those who rely on faith (Galatians 3:9)
• To those who bless Israel. (Genesis 2:2,3)

      So, how do we stack up?

We have thrown God out of our schools, our history books, our families, our courts, and our government. We remove and disregard His commands, and disrespect His Word. With self ruling on the throne of our hearts, we worship idols of pleasure and entertainment. We have allowed the slaughter of millions of the most vulnerable. We worry about offending everyone except God. Wrong is called right, and right is criminalized. Prayer is disallowed unless we are in big trouble or when we think we should get blessing.

Why should He bless us?

But maybe, just maybe, it’s not too late.

2 Chronicles 7:14 If my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and I will forgive their sin and will heal their land.

God, have mercy.