WHY IS AMERICA A GREAT COUNTRY?

SCRIPTURE:
The Lord will indeed give what is good, 
and our land will yield its harvest.  
(Psalm 85:12)

MEDITATION:
Have you ever wondered why the United States 
is the destination for many who want to leave their own country?
Sure, America has its problems, 
but it is still considered the land of opportunity 
because of its economic and material prosperity.
The greatness of the United States is a gift from God’s hand.

There are many who would readily assume credit for this country’s 
prosperity, but the truth is, we are blessed because God, 
the One who controls everything, has blessed us.
All of the material blessings are gifts from God, 
given so that we might humble ourselves, 
fall on our knees before Him, and call upon His name.

We should also thank God for the spiritual blessings 
that are beyond the capacity of man to describe.
Here in North America we still have freedom of worship. 
This is not the case in many other parts of the world 
where believers cannot assemble together.
Others cannot speak of their religious convictions 
because of the totalitarian powers there.

Unfortunately, worship attendance is on the decline in America 
as many take for granted the wonderful privilege we have been given.
People in other countries 
look forward to worshipping together even when they risk harm or death.

Here, we have the opportunity to worship together without those threats, 
but instead of looking forward to the joy of worshipping as we are told 
in the Bible, some have chosen to make their own rules and worship in 
silos by watching services on television or listening to them on radios.

There is nothing wrong with those two venues as a supplement to community 
worship, but not as a replacement for what God, in His Word, 
has told true believers to do.
Look at what the scriptures tell us about our relationship with Jesus:
Whoever claims to live in him must live as Jesus did. (1 John 2:6)

Look at one of the ways Jesus lived:
He went to Nazareth, where he had been brought up, and on the Sabbath day he 
went into the synagogue, as was his custom. He stood up to read. (Luke 4:16)
When it was the Sabbath, Jesus went to the synagogue.
He didn't stay home or do something else for His own pleasure.
His pleasure was to be in God's house.

Others have decided to replace their times of corporate worship, 
not with individual worshipping, but with personal desires.
They have decided that other things are more important 
than worshipping the One who has blessed America, and in turn, blessed them.

Here in the United States, we have Bibles everywhere.
We also have the opportunity to preach 
and share the contents of His great book.
God has blessed us with so many spiritual blessings 
that we could ever count them all.
In days of uncertainty and confusion, these are gifts that go beyond 
our power to understand; and yet they are gifts of God 
that become ours when we receive His Son as our Savior and Lord.

How long will God continue to bless America?
We don’t know, but we have to assume that He is disappointed 
when He sees how many ignore His command to meet together, 
and others that have turned their backs to Him 
as they pursue their own interests.

ACTION:
Are you truly grateful for the blessings God has given America, and you?
Do you follow His commands to worship with other believers 
as an expression of your thankfulness for His many blessings?
Do you look forward to spending time with other believers 
praising, rejoicing, and humbly thanking God for everything He has given?

Or, are you one of those who disappoints Him 
by creating your own rules for worship, 
or substituting personal pleasures for bowing to the One
who holds your life and eternity in His hands?

Pray,
“Heavenly Father, thank You for all the blessings You have showered on our 
country. Thank You that I live in a country where I can worship You, read my 
Bible, and freely express my faith without fear of persecution. Forgive me 
if I have taken Your blessings and my freedoms for granted. Forgive me if I 
have ignored Your command to worship with other believers because I have 
decided to pursue other interests, or to rewrite Your guidelines for worship. 
Father, I humbly bow before You asking Your forgiveness and thanking You 
sincerely for how You have blessed me. Help me to show my sincerity through 
my obedience to Your commands, instead of redefining what You have made 
abundantly clear to me, and everyone else.”