You may not recognize the words in our title. They are from a familiar song, but many of us may have forgotten it. The song's appeal to "self-control" is then immediately followed by: "Thy liberty in Law."
Similar thoughts from other songs include:
- "Protect us by thy might; Great God, our King."
- "Then conquer we must, when our cause it is just;"
- " And this be our motto: In God is our Trust."
The words of the title are from the second stanza of"America, The Beautiful." The other two, respectively, come from the third stanza of "America," and the third stanza of "The Star-Spangled Banner."
Recently, while listening to the Robert Shaw Chorale singing folk and patriotic songs of the early decades of a previous century, I was touched by the fervor with which Americans once sang these songs. Tears welled up in my eyes as I remembered the love of country that
so characterized my youth in our native land. Something has been lost, and many believe that it may never be regained. It has occurred to me that my own grandchildren may have never heard these songs, or known the words and their significance to this nation.
SELF-CONTROL
Part of the reason for this absence of national pride is the diminishing national morality. Katherine Lee Bates wrote the words to "America, The Beautiful." Back then it was not as likely that tomorrow's editorial
would ridicule the idea of one's soul being confirmed by means of "self-control." Include the word "soul" in a letter-to-the-editor today and you will get a "passel" of responses, some even accusing you of trying to stuff religion down someone's throat. The mere mention of"self-control" could result in threats from the local Gay-Lesbian Alliance. It is true that our nation no longer is reputed to possess high moral standards. I'm sure that we all deeply mourn and regret that fact.
Many Americans have become disillusioned by the myriad scandals that have touched our political leaders in the last few years. We can understand the words of Solomon: "Righteousness exalteth a nation: but sin is a reproach to any people," Proverbs 14:34. But unless we
are willing to exhibit self-control, we will continue to go down the same old road that Israel took centuries ago. They told their preachers not to speak truth to them, but to "speak unto us smooth things, prophesy
deceits," Isaiah 30:10. That is just what our world wants to hear today, that" everything is all right," that heaven is the destiny of all. It's not true, but some will preach it
anyway, for that's what people want to hear.
LIBERTY IN LAW
The full text of Bates' lyrics here includes another
interesting phrase:
Confirm thy soul in self-control, Thy liberty in law. It is admitted academically that the only way to true freedom is by means of law. The opposite of this is anarchy, and all recognize the folly of a society in
which law is absent. If we are to have liberty, it will have to be in and by principles of law.
If American patriots over 200 years ago were able to comprehend this vital point, why is it that modern religionists have such difficulty today? We are all accountable to the Law of God today: "being not without law to God, but under the law to Christ," 1 Corinthians 9:21. God's grace does not nullify law. God's love does not eliminate the need for law. All people are amenable and accountable to God's laws. In fact, our response to God's commands is directly related to our love for Him and for our brothers: "By this we know that we love the children of God, when we love God, and keep his commandments. For this is the love of God, that we keep his commandments: and his commandments are not grievous," 1 John 5:2-3. Our liberty in Christ is enhanced by His law.
GREAT GOD OUR KING
These grand songs of the past saw God as Protector and King. But even those authors realized that our cause "must be just". The question of "righteous war" is one that has not been settled in the minds of many,
but who is saying that our nation is a "Christian nation" today? In the biblical sense, it has never been true, but in the minds of our founders, Christ and the Bible were at the foundation of this nation. During World War II, many were thrilled by Kate Smith's rendition of "God Bless America." We know "the Most High ruleth in the kingdom of men, and setteth up over it the lowest of men," Daniel 4:17. While we do not always know the how, we know it to be true. Can America prosper again? Not until our cause is just. That can only be when men seek Him truly through His Word.
Even with all its flaws, this is still the greatest nation in the world. Men and women from allover the world dream of coming here. They are sometimes disappointed, but they know that freedoms exist here that are nonexistent elsewhere. "Righteousness exalteth a nation." Let us spread God's word so righteousness can exalt this nation! "Sin is a reproach to any people."
Let us eliminate sin in our lives to the end that God will have good cause to Bless America!
