If we address our nation ... will naturally go to Deutoronomy.
Setting: Egypt (sent down)/ Exodus (came out)/ Law (received at Sinai)/Kadesh (12 spies sent in, turned back)/ wanderings (40 years in wilderness)/ 2nd. Generation & Deuteronomy = "Second Law"
Relevance:
When 13 newly independent colonies decided to form one nation .. what kind, what pattern .... where did they look?
A primary source = (1) the Bible (34% of Founding Fathers' quotes from there)
A primary book = Deuteronomy which = the forming of a New Nation (ie: Israel) under God's provision and direction!! God blessed the nation.
Question: Is the USA still aspiring? (after 246 years)
Yes!! still hoping ot achieve, accomplish, develop, move forward!
(granted .... liberals vs conservatives differ on where to go and how to get there!!)
IF asked "how do we move forward/upward"....you'd get many different answers!!
But... Biblical advice comes from God's Word, God's Will.
Especially words to "aspiring Israel".
God's basic plan or will doesn't change with time. Still relevant today.
Another note: A __________ church is made of _________ people. (can also apply to a _______ church, family, community, nation....)
POINT: A nation as a whole can only be what its individual citizens are.
Therefore, this application si not to the nation as a whole, rather to You as an individual!!
So (some) Biblical Guidelines for any Aspiring Nation. And, Biblical Guidelines for any Aspiring Christian.
(1) Be Reasonable - Deut. 8:17-18
Is the success of the USA due to hard work? Yankee ingenuity? Natural resources?
OR God's grace??
Answer = Combination!!
On one hand, God provided all of those things
However, people took responsibility for the provisions
This = Stewardship - which (1) recognizes God's owenership
(2) recognizes the steward's responsibility to make good use of the blessings. We don't own anything!! We are stewards!!
(2) Be Careful - Deut. 8:11-14
"Remember" - used 16 times in Deut. 166 times in Scripture, because we FORGET!!
Prosperity tends to produce unhealthy pride - (look at me, what I'm doing!! Vs. Look at what God's doing) It ought to lead to recognition of God.
(3) Be Thankful - Deut. 8:10
This is more than attitude - Note: "be thankful" (attitude) - vs. "give thanks" (action) - 50 to 1 in scripture.
Giving thanks = appropriate and healthy!! Psm. 50:23 "..... honors me"
(4) Be Wise Deut. 30:11-16, 19
Biblical Wisdom leads to Successful living (blessed of God)
Note #1. Wisdom is not only for the elderly!!
Note #2 Blessings come with the doing!! - John 13:17 -
Knowledge alone doesn't bring blessing.
(5) Be Instructive - Deut. 4:9, 6:4-9
This = basic Salt and light thinking
And NOTE HERE" it starts in the Home!!
If God's word is so important, ought to be spreading it!
(6) Be Evangelical - Deut. 4:6-8
Point:: Israel was to be a testimony of God's goodness ... TO pagans ... in order to draw them!!
(they totally dropped the ball - became very exclusive). They were to Connect People to God!
Additional New Testament Testimony which = Christ's sacrifice by which we may be Redeemed and Reconciled (John 14:6) (should be introducing people TO Christ!
(7) Be Faithful - Deut. 8:6
Point: be faithful to Observe!! Which = practice / keep / Do!! Matt. 7:24
Closing Scripture: Deut. 30:19-20
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