Hot dogs on the grill, parades, picnics and bright flags of red, white and blue—all celebrating the pride we feel for our country. But as fireworks light up the sky, is God up in heaven, waving the stars and stripes along with us?
We are, after all, the nation that stamps “God bless America” on signs and bumper stickers. Hasn’t our country indeed been blessed with all its freedoms? Haven’t we found favor with God?
God loves America, but not just America.
In fact, His love is so unique that He can love us all the same. He created us and doesn’t pick favorites. He’s not an American patriot, but loves all nations. More than that, He loves the people of those nations.
God wants every single person to know Him and His love, from those who have His name engraved on their coins to those who live in impoverished villages. As Psalm 33:12 tells us, “Blessed is the nation whose God is the Lord.”
This Almighty God doesn’t divide people by geographic location or government, but sees each person as a special creation formed by His own hands.
He showed us the abundance of His love when He sent His Son, Jesus Christ, to earth to enable us—sinful, imperfect people—to have a relationship with a perfect, holy God—the Creator of the universe.
God doesn’t have a high political position or a fancy throne here on earth, but is King over the entire world—and cares about each detail of our lives. The Bible tells us that “kingship belongs to the Lord, and He rules over the nations” (Psalm 22:28).
As King, God could force us to love Him back, but instead, He has given us a choice: to return His love or reject Him.
