America's Only Hope?

Just a moment ago I received a "special offer" - a yard sign that reads as follows.

Prayer
America's Only Hope
2 Chronicles 7:14

Now, my problem with this sign is not what you might expect.

First, I do believe in prayer - and not just because it lowers blood pressure. If that's all you need, get a dog.

The second line is also good; our ultimate hope should not be in a party or a program or an economic model (though they all have their important places).

No, it's that third part that's bugging me. And it is very unusual for me to have a problem with anything that encourages people to go read the scriptures!

This particular scripture is completely out of place on this sign.

"If my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then will I hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and will heal their land" (2 Chronicles 7:14, NIV).

When did the original secular republic - the nation that drove the final nail in the coffin of theocracies - become the United States of God's People Who are Called by God's Name?

The promise was not addressed to the United States of America. If we take this promise given to the ancient Hebrews and apply it to our own nation, we make a grave error. We make the mistake of thinking that the U.S. is God's Chosen Nation.

Remember, Jesus died so that there would be neither Jew nor Greek, but, rather, we would all be one in Christ Jesus (Galatians 3:27-29).

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