Hope for American (and all) Christians – Part II

July 4, 2026

Someone recently read a post here from over ten years ago with the title: “Hope for American Christians.”

While looking at it to remember it, a question came to mind: “What better subject can one bring up on the 250th anniversary of of our nation’s founding?” I am reprinting it today with a few changes because I think America needs hope on this day. -CR

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“When Your Concern For Your Nation Intensifies” was the title of a sermon I heard today.  The sermon was presented by Pastor Mark Cain of Village Bible Church.

So what do we do about all of the things in our society that sadden us?  Pastor Mark mentioned many of the issues that can make one wonder just where we are headed: lack of morality, dishonesty, ungodly living arrangements, violence, abortion, greed, etc.

The answer Pastor Cain gave was not surprising.  It came from the Bible.  Isn’t that where we are supposed to look for our answers? He found a great answer.

“When your concern for America intensifies, calm that concern through the theology of Psalm 46.” 

Here is your answer:

Psalm 46

God the Refuge of His People.

46 God is our refuge and strength, A very present help in trouble. 2 Therefore we will not fear, though the earth should change And though the mountains slip into the heart of the sea; 3 Though its waters roar and foam, Though the mountains quake at its swelling pride. Selah.

4 There is a river whose streams make glad the city of God, The holy dwelling places of the Most High. 5 God is in the midst of her, she will not be moved; God will help her when morning dawns. 6 The nations made an uproar, the kingdoms tottered; He raised His voice, the earth melted. 7 The Lord of hosts is with us; The God of Jacob is our stronghold. Selah.

8 Come, behold the works of the Lord, Who has wrought desolations in the earth. 9 He makes wars to cease to the end of the earth; He breaks the bow and cuts the spear in two; He burns the chariots with fire. 10 “Cease striving and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth.” 11 The Lord of hosts is with us; The God of Jacob is our stronghold. Selah.

Pastor Mark calls the Psalms “God’s Pharmacy.”  This Psalm shows why.

The Psalm is a song or poetry set in three stanzas.  Each stanza ends with the word “Selah.”  As the good pastor stated, no one knows for certain what the word means.  Many feel that “Selah” is word that means pause.  Pausing is always good for reflection.

Dr. Cain broke the Psalm into two sections.

1. (vv. 1-3) GOD IS (a way of saying “theology”) so personally present there is no reason to fear the cataclysmic chaos.

2. (vv. 4-11) God is so powerfully present He can overrule any national threat.

The conclusion:

“Peace and security are not the absence of threatening circumstances, but the close presence of our powerful, personally involved God.”

Our nation’s celebration of Independence is here.  God has richly blessed our nation in the past.  Psalm 46 is a great scripture upon which to dwell in the present.

I wish you a blessed Fourth of July, 2026.

Chris Reimers

(1) http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Psalm%2046&version=NASB

The Original Post

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HOPE

October 8, 2013

“There are many persons to be found who are bowed down with despondency of spirit, and cannot lift up themselves to enjoy a comfortable hope.  Let such take heart from the case before us; and let them also remember that the Lord does not now forget the sorrowful and broken-hearted.  We see this expressly stated in:”

Isaiah 49

 13 Shout for joy, O heavens! And rejoice, O earth!
Break forth into joyful shouting, O mountains!
For the Lord has comforted His people
And will have compassion on His afflicted.

Promise to Zion

14 But Zion said, “The Lord has forsaken me,
And the Lord has forgotten me.”
15 “Can a woman forget her nursing child
And have no compassion on the son of her womb?
Even these may forget, but I will not forget you.
16 “Behold, I have inscribed you on the palms of My hands;

(Taken from the September 20th evening entry in the Spurgeon Devotional Bible)

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CHRISTIAN, YOU ARE SAFE IN CHRIST’S HANDS ALWAYS

February 28, 2013

Whose goings forth have been from of old, from everlasting. (Micah 5:2)

The Lord Jesus had goings forth for his people as their representative before the throne, long before they appeared upon the stage of time.

It was “from everlasting” that he signed the compact with his Father, that he would pay blood for blood, suffering for suffering, agony for agony, and death for death,in the behalf of his people.

It was “from everlasting” that he gave himself up without a murmuring word. That from the crown of his head to the sole of his foot he might sweat great drops of blood, that he might be spit upon, pierced, mocked, rent asunder, and crushed beneath the pains of death.

His goings forth as our Surety were from everlasting. Pause, my soul, and wonder! Thou hast goings forth in the person of Jesus “from everlasting.” Not only when thou wast born into the world did Christ love thee, but his delights were with the sons of men before there were any sons of men.

Often did he think of them; from everlasting to everlasting he had set his affection upon them. What! my soul, has he been so long about thy salvation, and will not he accomplish it?

Has he from everlasting been going forth to save me, and will he lose me now? What! Has he carried me in his hand, as his precious jewel, and will he now let me slip from between his fingers?

Did he choose me before the mountains were brought forth, or the channels of the deep were digged, and will he reject me now? Impossible! I am sure he would not have loved me so long if he had not been a changeless Lover.

If he could grow weary of me, he would have been tired of me long before now. If he had not loved me with a love as deep as hell, and as strong as death, he would have turned from me long ago.

Oh, joy above all joys, to know that I am his everlasting and inalienable inheritance, given to him by his Father or ever the earth was! Everlasting love shall be the pillow for my head this night.

Charles Spurgeon

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It seems this is not the only blog that quotes from the great Prince of Preachers occasionally. Pastor Silva also cites from the great sum of material that came from the pen of Mr. Spurgeon. I found this selection here.

CR

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