Week 5: Blessed is the Nation
Blessed is the nation whose God is the Lord, the people whom he has chosen as his heritage! — Psalm 33:12
A day is coming when believers “from every nation, from all tribes and peoples and languages” (Revelation 7:9) will stand before the throne of Heaven worshiping God in perfect unity. Our voices will join with others in unceasing praise: “Salvation belongs to our God who sits on the throne, and to the Lamb,” (Revelation 7:10) and “Blessing and glory and wisdom and thanksgiving and honor and power and might be to our God forever and ever! Amen” (Revelation 7:12).
Through the Holy Spirit, Christians live out the reality that currently “There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is no male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus” (Galatians 3:28). However, we long for Christ to return and completely and eternally establish the New Jerusalem with no divisions among His chosen people.
In the waiting, our present reality is lived out within the geographic boundaries and time periods that God has sovereignly ordained for us. “And he made from one man every nation of mankind to live on all the face of the earth, having determined allotted periods and the boundaries of their dwelling place” (Acts 17:26).
That we are in the state of Ohio in the United States of America in 2023 is not a coincidence or an accident. God has placed us in this unique place at this unique time for a unique purpose.
While our ultimate citizenship is in Heaven (Philippians 3:20), we are called to “seek the welfare of the city where I have sent you into exile, and pray to the Lord on its behalf, for in its welfare you will find your welfare” (Jeremiah 29:7).
Our nation today is plagued by all manner of wickedness—including abortion. Standing against the prevailing cultural headwinds in defense of the unborn and their mothers is never easy. But the resulting slander and hatred are not new for Christ and His followers (John 15:18-19).
Instead of reacting in kind, Christians “do not repay evil for evil or reviling for reviling, but on the contrary, bless, for to this you were called, that you may obtain a blessing” (1 Peter 3:9).
Even while contending with our ideological opponents about the reality and dignity of life in the womb and the many ways abortion harms and endangers women, we must show and share the love of Jesus. To know Him and to be known by Him is the greatest blessing anyone could ever receive.
This week, pray for revival in our land. Ask God to soften hearts that have been hardened against Him. Pray that He would bless our nation and make America a country where people willfully choose to do what is right.
2 Chronicles 7:14 …if my people who are called by my name 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. Monday ~ 1 Timothy 2:1–4 I urge that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings be made for all people, for kings and all who are in high positions, that we may lead a peaceful and quiet life, godly and dignified in every way. This is good, and it is pleasing in the sight of God our Savior, who desires all people to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth.
Galatians 5:14 For the whole law is fulfilled in one word: “You shall love your neighbor as yourself.”
Leviticus 18:3–5 You shall not do as they do in the land of Egypt, where you lived, and you shall not do as they do in the land of Canaan, to which I am bringing you. You shall not walk in their statutes. You shall follow my rules and keep my statutes and walk in them. I am the Lord your God. You shall therefore keep my statutes and my rules; if a person does them, he shall live by them: I am the Lord.
1 Peter 2:11–12 Beloved, I urge you as sojourners and exiles to abstain from the passions of the flesh, which wage war against your soul. Keep your conduct among the Gentiles honorable, so that when they speak against you as evildoers, they may see your good deeds and glorify God on the day of visitation.
Matthew 5:16 In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven.
Psalm 67:1–3 May God be gracious to us and bless us and make his face to shine upon us, that your way may be known on earth, your saving power among all nations. Let the peoples praise you, O God; let all the peoples praise you!
