The one, great unified story of God, is written on countless media. The Scriptures of the Old and New Testament reveal in vivid detail why the universe exists, why humans live on the earth, and why there is so much pain and turmoil in our world. They also reveal God’s unfolding plan of redemption. How from before the foundation of the earth, He had planned to reveal His great love by becoming one of His creation, sacrificing Himself, and displaying His great love on a black canvas of human lostness.

Beginning with the story of Babel in Genesis 11, we understand that God intended to both establish and scatter the nations of the world who are all trapped in the spiritual servitude of Satan and one-third of the fallen angels. Those scattered nations and languages would all one day, of their own choosing, forsake the kingdom of darkness and produce representatives from each people group who would display the glory of God in their lives through the finished work of the Lamb. 

One medium where God’s glorious story is written is on the nations themselves. Egypt, Assyria, Babylon, Persia, Greece, Rome, and many others have all been touched by the hand of God. He is literally writing His glorious story on the backdrop of the rise and fall of nations, and we lose strategic and hopeful insight when we forget or dismiss this fact. Just consider Nebuchadnezzar in the book of Daniel, who, by the end of his life, would say: “Then I praised the Most High; I honored and glorified him who lives forever. His dominion is an eternal dominion; his kingdom endures from generation to generation… Now I, Nebuchadnezzar, praise and exalt and glorify the King of heaven, because everything he does is right and all his ways are just. And those who walk in pride he is able to humble.” (Daniel 4:34, 37)

America is not perfect, nor can it save us. But America IS a unique nation. John Adams spoke, in 1789, that “Our Constitution was made only for a moral and religious people. It is wholly inadequate to the government of any other.” By design, the US government was an experiment in balancing a light-handed leadership that allowed righteous peoples the ability to pursue their best interests. FREEDOM, the essence of the movement the Founders had initiated, bound a citizenry together to guard those God-given rights with a fierce yet dignified unity. 

With that as the backdrop, as goes the church, so goes the country. If we fail in this hour to “salt and light” our culture, the very foundations of our government MUST change to suppress the threat of unrighteousness and tyranny. Because our Constitution was designed as it was, never were Jesus’ words more poignant:

“You are the salt of the earth. But if the salt loses its saltiness, how can it be made salty again? It is no longer good for anything, except to be thrown out and trampled underfoot. You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill cannot be hidden. Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead, they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.” (Matthew 5:13-14)

REFLECT:

As you soak in the Word and the devotions this week, ask God to cause YOUR life to Flavor Well and Shine Boldly. Take a few minutes to write out the prayer in your journal that the Spirit of God is putting on your heart.

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PREPARE FOR THIS WEEK'S ACCOUNTABILITY GROUP:

1. Look back over the devotions from the past week. Which devotions were most meaningful to you?
2. Why?
3. What is God teaching you about living a bold, courageous life?