Casualties on America’s shores. Deadly attack on United States targets nation’s capitol—terror, panic . . . HEROES!

Detained by enemy troops, he was forced to watch a brutal bombardment of America’s eastern seaboard. Toward morning on September 14, 1814, it became clear that we’d survived and Francis Scott Key scribbled our national anthem on an envelope. Little known stanza four says:

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.

David Jeremiah
Turning Point Ministries [1]

Brave Roots

America’s historic bravery, pursuit of religious liberty, advocacy of human rights, and defense of freedom springs from her Judeo-Christian roots. Early pilgrims faced dangers that made men “quake and tremble.” But the difficulties “through the help of God, by fortitude and patience, might either be borne or overcome” according to Governor Bradford.

More than 150 years later, in the same spirit of Christian bravery, Benjamin Franklin beseeched the Second Continental Congress to open each session in prayer, saying, “I have lived, Sir, a long time; and the longer I live, the more convincing proofs I see of this truth—that God governs the affairs of men. And if a sparrow cannot fall to the ground without his notice, is it probable that an empire can rise without his aid? . . . I therefore beg leave to move—that henceforth prayers imploring the assistance of Heaven, and its blessings on our deliberations, be held in this Assembly every morning before we proceed to business . . . .”¹ [2]

Later President George Washington said, “Let us with caution indulge the supposition, that morality can be maintained without religion. . . . Reason and experience both forbid us to expect that national morality can prevail in exclusion of religious principle.”² [3]

Still the Home of the Brave

Many Americans are craving a spiritual basis for bravery. As we wage a global war against terrorism, we must ask if the spiritual foundations of our nation can still sustain our courage. Do we still have the moral fiber to be the home of the brave?

One writer noted that America is “rolling in luxury, reveling in excesses, rollicking in pleasure, reeling in drunkenness, revolting in morals, and rotting in sin.”³ [4] In such a climate, bravery deteriorates into bravado, and bravado into bluster. Jesus warned of coming days when men’s hearts would fail them “from fear and the expectation of those things which are coming on the earth” (Luke 21:26).

There is a moral and spiritual war for the souls of Americans. And this war must be waged by preaching the Gospel, prayer, and obedience to God’s Word.

God’s Plan for America

America isn’t in the Bible; but when we see Lincoln praying in the hour of crisis, Wilson reading his Bible by the White House lights, leaders on the capitol steps singing, “God Bless America,” we’re reminded that this nation didn’t become the land of the free and home of the brave by blind fate. God was hovering over our country from her conception.

America launched the greatest missionary movement in history, provided a homeland for the Jewish people, and advocated for Israel. America developed principles of liberty and promotes human rights and religious freedom. But sin can degrade and destroy her. Our modern civilization is facing judgment for sin.

REVIVAL and a return to the moral and spiritual principles of Scripture in which America’s greatness is rooted are the only things that can save our land. Second Chronicles 7:14 declares, “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 will forgive their sin and heal their land.”

Are you fearful? Frightened by the threat of war? “Watch, stand fast in the faith, be brave, be strong. Let all that you do be done with love” (1 Corinthians 16:13-14). We’re living in perilous times, but God is our refuge and strength. He rules in the kingdoms of men. Humble yourself, pray, seek His face, turn from sin, and God will grant healing and holiness.

Thank God for our heritage, and pray that He will grant America revival. May He bless us with spiritual awakening and moral courage before it’s too late.

And the star-spangled banner in triumph shall wave
O’er the land of the free and the home of the brave.

1. http://www.americanrhetoric.com/speeches/benfranklin.htm [5]
2. http://usgovinfo.about.com/library/blgwfarewell.htm [6]
3. Dr. Laurence White, “Christianity & Culture” Issues, Etc. transcript, July 29, 2001. http://www.issuesetc.org/resource/archives/wilken-white.htm [7]

Dr. Jeremiah is the founder of Turning Point for God, senior pastor of Shadow Mountain Community Church in El Cajon, Calif. For more information on Turning Point, go to www.TurningPointOnline.org [8].