Be careful – lest we forget – Our HOPE. We hear many suggestions where we ought to place our hope to have a future as a nation. Our ultimate hope for the future must never rest primarily in our economic success, military power, political strength, or educational systems, etc – but in our trust in God!

I believe in a strong military and the latest equipment and training for all of our military persons, but we must remember that “Unless the Lord guards a city, those who guard it do so in vain.” (Psalms 127:1) We have the greatest military in the world – but it is not our ultimate hope. “A king is not saved by his great army; a warrior is not delivered by his great strength; the warhorse is a false hope for salvation and by its great might it cannot rescue.” (Psalms 33: 16,17)

I’m always amazed by the story of Gideon (Judges 7). He had 32,000 troops, but was greatly outnumbered by the enemy. He asked God for more soldiers, but God downsized his military force to 300. What chance would 300 have? God gave Gideon a military strategy that you would never find taught in today’s military schools, but Gideon’s hope was in God. He obeyed God’s strategy, and God gave him the victory!

Some people think that the success of our future is tied to the success of our economy. Even though on July 3rd our stock market hit its highest level ever, if we put our hope in our economy, we are in trouble. Our economy can fail overnight. Real hope brings security. We foolishly refer to stocks and bonds as “securities.” Security means “without anxiety.” Observe people watching a stock ticker tape, and see how much “without anxiety” you see.

I believe in our democracy and a strong political system. At every level of government we must elect leaders who rely on God for wisdom. When Solomon came to the throne of Israel he said, “O Lord my God, You have made me king…I am as a little child who doesn’t know his way around…give me an understanding mind so that I may govern your people well and know the difference between what is right and what is wrong. Who by himself is able to carry out such a heavy responsibility?” (1 Kings 3:6-10) Do you see why he is recognized as the wisest human in history?

Our future will not be secured by decisions from persons who wear titles because of their election, or black robes in court rooms, or expensive suits on Wall Street, or rimmed glasses in the college classroom, or football pads and championship rings. Our hope for the future will be secure only in God and God alone!

Our task is not to get God on our side, but for us to get on God’s side! God didn’t come to take sides – He came to take over!!!

Be careful – lest we forget – Our HOPE.