A Lone Nation Under God?
By Travis K. McSherley

The United States of America.  One of the greatest nations ever to be established on this planet.  The wealthiest and most powerful country in the world today.  Undoubtedly one of the most blessed nations the Lord has ever blessed.

Our country and its leaders have made their share of mistakes over the past 225 years.  Even legendary American figures such as George Washington and Abraham Lincoln surely committed numerous blunders during their tenures as Commander-in-Chief.  And certainly our most recent administrations have been perpetrators of political and social faux pas.

Yet despite her errors during the last two centuries, the U.S. has outlasted empires such as Germany, Japan, Britain, and the Soviet Union to remain the surviving world superpower.  Even a bloody civil war could only bend -- but not break -- this great nation.

During our rise to and reign of superpower status, decisions have been made involving the United States that have not always been considered as consistent with the rest of the world's countries.  In the past several months, it seems as though these unpopular choices have multiplied.  Labeled an "isolationist" country by some, the U.S. has flowed against the stream of many European and Asian countries on issues like global warming and carbon dioxide emissions, biotechnology, Israel, and other important world affairs.  In addition, the country has been at odds with the United Nations over different issues, with China, and with Russia concerning the Antiballistic Missile Treaty.

As the United States continues to be reluctant to follow the Eastern world's agendas, the other nations seem to be increasingly more impatient with the U.S. resistance.  Anti-American protests and rallies have popped up in Europe and Asia.  According to the Jerusalem Post's Internet Edition, thousands gathered in Tehran a few weeks ago, protesting against U.S. and Israel.

However, the recent U.S. disagreements seem to me to have only fueled existing animosity for the U.S. among European and Asian nations.  Citizens of many Eastern countries seem to hold (or are taught) a deep-seated hatred of the rich and greedy United States.  Perhaps some of these accusations are justified, but such bitterness could probably be expected toward the world's most powerful nation.

But I wonder how many of these new world agreements and laws are not partially motivated by a desire to see the U.S. slide downward to the socioeconomic status of Europe or other nations.  Clearly, many of these agreements would be of more harm than good to the citizens of the United States.  While it is understandable for the European Union and the nations of Asia to seek to be on par with the U.S. in terms of wealth and power, should it be any surprise that we are somewhat uneasy about allowing the tampering of our own rights?

I praise God that the United States is where she is today.  My only prayer is that those in office will lead with enough dignity that we can continue to be "one nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all."

I hope President Bush and Congress continue to resist following the rest of the planet into treaties that do not best serve the people of this country.  Maybe the U.S. will not be able to permanently hold out on the global alignments taking place, but I pray we may be able to hold true to the fundamental values that formed this country and have supported it through wars and economic downfall and presidential assassinations and other crises.

I believe the United States, possibly to the dismay of the rest of the world, is the glue that holds together what's left of world stability.  The world would be radically different had Nazi Germany continued in its mission or if the U.S.S.R. had outlasted the U.S. during the Cold War.  And the world shall be radically different if and when the U.S. is unseated as the lone superpower.

Whether you are reading this as an American, or if your allegiance is to another nation, please pray for this country.  Much of the world seems to be against us, and even significant portions of our own population vehemently disagree with the actions of our foreign policies.  We are far from a perfect country (and we seem to be getting more imperfect all the time), but God made this a great nation for His purposes; and I think He can still use us as a positive light in the world.  But only if we remember that just as the years before and the years to come, this is the year of our Lord.