Did Trump Make America Great?

Our current president, President Trump, triumphed in the elections of 2016 by emphasizing the catchy slogan Making America Great Again (MAGA). This resonated in the hearts of many Americans as it spoke to their desire for America to be strong.

To the delight of many Americans, over the course of his first three years, President Trump was able to achieve great progress towards his MAGA mantra including: a booming economy, a robust and strengthened military, a heightened internal security, record lows in unemployment, rising wages, energy independence, and so much more.

BUT, in the matter of few short days, America has been paralyzed by a foreign invader that has made its way to our shores. This enemy has driven fear deep in our hearts, wreaked havoc upon our economic well-being, and has attacked the very freedoms our country was built upon.

WHAT IF, we got it all wrong? IS IT POSSIBLE, that the greatness of America never was determined by her government, her economy, her riches, her military might, her science, or her knowledge?

In Psalms 85, the chief musician leads the choir in a song that was to resonate deep into the heart of a people who were filled with fear. As a nation they were going through a particular tough time - they were experiencing some sort of bondage from an enemy invader - some suggest it might have been the neighboring Philistines who were so often attacking Israel in order to steal their possessions and take their land.

The song begins with this wonderful reminder that the greatness of a nation is dependent upon one thing - The Favor of the LORD.

LORD, thou hast been favorable unto thy land: thou hast brought back the captivity of Jacob.

A philosopher once penned these words….

I sought for the greatness and genius of America in her commodious harbors and her ample rivers—and it was not there. . . . . in her fertile fields and boundless forests—and it was not there. . . . .in her rich mines and her vast world commerce—and it was not there. . . . in her democratic Congress and her matchless Constitution—and it was not there. Not until I went into the churches of America and heard her pulpits flame with righteousness did I understand the secret of her genius and power. America is great because she is good, and if America ever ceases to be good, she will cease to be great.

PERHAPS, the key to unlock the Greatness of our beloved America is found in obtaining and keeping the Favor of the Lord. As the mighty chorus of Psalm 85 continued to sing, the chords began to address the need of the hour:

Surely his salvation is nigh them that fear him; that glory may dwell in our land.
Mercy and truth are met together; righteousness and peace have kissed each other.
Truth shall spring out of the earth; and righteousness shall look down from heaven.
Yea, the Lord shall give that which is good; and our land shall yield her increase.
Righteousness shall go before him; and shall set us in the way of his steps.

NOTICE, their hearts yearned for deliverance (salvation) from the enemy and for glory to be returned to the land. They were pleading for God to show His mercy to them and to allow peace to once again reign in the nation. The Messengers of God CONCLUDED with the solemn thought that the Favor of the Lord can only be realized when a nation (a person) fears the Lord God and determines to know and live by His Truth. Mercy and Peace can never be obtained without first living in God’s steps which are determined by Truth and Righteousness.

America’s greatness cannot be truly judged by the strength of its military, economy, prosperity, or government. IT IS TIME for America (you and I) to turn back to God. He is the only one who can truly Make America Great Again. We need His hand of mercy to again rest favorably upon our land. We need His hand of deliverance from our enemies (seen and unseen) in order to enjoy peace once again in our land. We may be able to for a time strengthen our resolve, flex our muscles, forge our paths to a fabricated greatness, but the truth is we need God!!! AMERICA, WHAT IS YOUR CHOICE??