By MIKE SHAW / Guest Columnist

“Blessed is the nation whose God is the Lord, the people he chose for his inheritance.” Psalm 33:12

I love the history of America.

Robert J. McCracken reminds us that, “We on this continent should never forget that men first crossed the Atlantic not to find soil for their plows but to secure liberty for their souls.”

In the darkest hours of World War II, President Roosevelt called the nation to remember, “With confidence in our armed forces, with the unbounding determination of our people, we will gain the inevitable triumph, so help us

God.”

I love the heart of America.

The recent tragedy in Myanmar, the earthquake in China, the AIDS pandemic in Africa have all been helped by the outpouring of money and materials from America. Brett D. Schaefer said, “The United States is the world’s largest source of humanitarian aid.” Iraq, Lebanon, Somalia, Kuwait, Haiti and other nations have been helped in times of turmoil and unrest by the United States and the brave men and women who have served and are serving now in our armed forces. I love the heritage of America.

There have been three times when a revival of monumental proportions served to draw America back to God. Men like Charles G. Finney, Dwight L. Moody, Billy Sunday and Billy Graham have stood in the pulpits and boldly proclaimed, “The Bible says” and “Thus saith the Lord,” while thousands upon thousands have “walked the aisle” or “hit the sawdust trail.” Tent revivals in small towns and great crusades in large cities have changed the eternal destiny of millions of Americans.

I love the hope of America.

The economy, gas and food prices at an all-time high, corporate downsizing, drugs and crime escalating daily, the disintegration of the home, sexual predators and rampant pornography are all symptoms of the same problem. The problem is as old as mankind, the problem of sin.

Psalm 33:18-22 gives us hope for America. “But the eyes of the Lord are on those who fear him, on those whose hope is in his unfailing love, to deliver them from death and keep them alive in famine. We wait in hope for the LORD; he is our help and our shield. In him our hearts rejoice, for we trust in his holy name. May your unfailing love rest upon us, O Lord, even as we put our hope in you.” May God bless you, may God bless America and Happy Birthday America!

Mike Shaw is the pastor of the First Baptist Church in Pelham.