October 1, 2020

“Blessed is the nation whose God is the Lord, the people He has chosen as His own inheritance” (Psalm 33:12).
“Righteousness exalts a nation, but sin is a reproach to any people” (Proverbs 14:34).

We can tend to take the Pledge of Allegiance for granted. Because of familiarity with it we don’t always think of its value. Our nation’s pledge was written especially for children in 1892 as part of a celebration of Columbus Day. It first appeared in a publication called The Youth’s Companion on September 8, 1892. It then read: “I pledge allegiance to my Flag and the Republic for which it stands—one nation indivisible—with liberty and justice for all.” The author, Francis Bellamy, was an assistant editor for the Companion. It was intended to be used just for the four hundredth anniversary of Columbus’ discovery but its popularity led to an annual tradition. The pledge later became a daily ritual in schoolrooms throughout America. In 1923, the first revision was made. “My Flag” was replaced by "the Flag of the United States of America.” Then in 1954, President Eisenhower signed a bill that added the words, “under God.”

What a significant and necessary addition to the Pledge! We are, indeed, one nation “under God.” We owe our life as a nation to the God of the Scriptures. But today there are voices that call out for the subtraction of “under God.” These people do not worship the Lord of the Bible. They press for independence from God, not realizing that this kind of freedom is actually spiritual bondage. Sadly, they know not the paradox that when we are captives of the Lord, then we are truly free.

With all the trouble going on in our nation right now, I don’t think it is a good idea to delete God from the Pledge. We just might find we need Him now more than ever!

Pastor Steve