What Does ‘God Bless America’ Really Mean?

We have always been a moral and religious people - ' and evidently we are becoming more so, according to a January 2006 poll conducted by the Barna Research Group.

[Soldier of Jesus Christ]

Psalm 33:12
Blessed is the nation whose God is the LORD; and the people whom he hath chosen for his own inheritance.

Now, we need to bless God. Our relationship with Him is a two-way street.

Psalm 16:7
I will bless the LORD, who hath given me counsel: my reins also instruct me in the night seasons.

1 Chronicles 29:20
And David said to all the congregation, Now bless the LORD your God. And all the congregation blessed the LORD God of their fathers, and bowed down their heads, and worshipped the LORD, and the king.

Nehemiah 9:5
Then the Levites, Jeshua, and Kadmiel, Bani, Hashabniah, Sherebiah, Hodijah, Shebaniah, and Pethahiah, said, Stand up and bless the LORD your God for ever and ever: and blessed be thy glorious name, which is exalted above all blessing and praise.

[Alan]

It means our imaginary friend in the sky loves us and wants us to crush our enemies, especially people from the Middle East. God loves America more than any other country, because we're Americans and we are the only country that really matters.

I also think Ann Coulter is a genius. Pass me a Budweiser, it's time for the Michael Savage show.

[GDT919]

Alan wrote:

It means our imaginary friend in the sky loves us and wants us to crush our enemies, especially people from the Middle East. God loves America more than any other country, because we're Americans and we are the only country that really matters.
I also think Ann Coulter is a genius. Pass me a Budweiser, it's time for the Michael Savage show.

You should get back in the straight jacket now. You have had enough play time.

[Mechanic45]

Soldier of Jesus Christ wrote:

Psalm 33:12
Blessed is the nation whose God is the LORD; and the people whom he hath chosen for his own inheritance.
Now, we need to bless God. Our relationship with Him is a two-way street.
Psalm 16:7
I will bless the LORD, who hath given me counsel: my reins also instruct me in the night seasons.
1 Chronicles 29:20
And David said to all the congregation, Now bless the LORD your God. And all the congregation blessed the LORD God of their fathers, and bowed down their heads, and worshipped the LORD, and the king.
Nehemiah 9:5
Then the Levites, Jeshua, and Kadmiel, Bani, Hashabniah, Sherebiah, Hodijah, Shebaniah, and Pethahiah, said, Stand up and bless the LORD your God for ever and ever: and blessed be thy glorious name, which is exalted above all blessing and praise.

I certainly appreciate your effort on this.
Righteousness exhalteth a nation, but sin is a reproach to any people (Proverbs 14:34)

[Alan]

God must really love America, because we have a lot of money. He must really hate all of those poor people in third world nations. I'm so lucky to be one of God's chosen people: An AMERICAN!

God loves big gas guzzling trucks, freedom fries, trailer parks, invasions, executions, pro wrestling, Britney Spears...

Oh, and I think God probably hates the Dixie Chicks, and liberals. And probably Barack Obama too, because he has a Muslim name.

[Soldier of Jesus Christ]

Alan wrote:

It means our imaginary friend in the sky loves us and wants us to crush our enemies, especially people from the Middle East. God loves America more than any other country, because we're Americans and we are the only country that really matters.
I also think Ann Coulter is a genius. Pass me a Budweiser, it's time for the Michael Savage show.

The Word teaches a little different than you teach.

Our enemies aren't really the Middle East...

Ephesians 6:12
For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.

These are the enemies of God's people.

[Soldier of Jesus Christ]

Mechanic45 wrote:

<quoted text>I certainly appreciate your effort on this.
Righteousness exhalteth a nation, but sin is a reproach to any people (Proverbs 14:34)

Thank you very much.

Amen, very true.

[Soldier of Jesus Christ]

Alan wrote:

God must really love America, because we have a lot of money. He must really hate all of those poor people in third world nations. I'm so lucky to be one of God's chosen people: An AMERICAN!
God loves big gas guzzling trucks, freedom fries, trailer parks, invasions, executions, pro wrestling, Britney Spears...
Oh, and I think God probably hates the Dixie Chicks, and liberals. And probably Barack Obama too, because he has a Muslim name.

Why talk like that?

If there be among you a poor man of one of thy brethren within any of thy gates in thy land which the LORD thy God giveth thee, thou shalt not harden thine heart, nor shut thine hand from thy poor brother:
But thou shalt open thine hand wide unto him, and shalt surely lend him sufficient for his need, in that which he wanteth.
Deuteronomy 15:7-8

Proverbs 13:7
There is that maketh himself rich, yet hath nothing: there is that maketh himself poor, yet hath great riches.

Proverbs 22:2
The rich and poor meet together: the LORD is the maker of them all.

Proverbs 22:16
He that oppresseth the poor to increase his riches, and he that giveth to the rich, shall surely come to want.

Proverbs 28:6
Better is the poor that walketh in his uprightness, than he that is perverse in his ways, though he be rich.

2 Corinthians 8:9
For ye know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that, though he was rich, yet for your sakes he became poor, that ye through his poverty might be rich.

James 2:5
Hearken, my beloved brethren, Hath not God chosen the poor of this world rich in faith, and heirs of the kingdom which he hath promised to them that love him?

[Alan]

Guys, I was being sarcastic. I think "God Bless America" is a load of crap. If there were a God, do you really think he would bless us in preference to other nations? Give me a break. If there is a God, he or she thinks we are all a bunch of dicks.

[Nephilim]

Alan wrote:

Guys, I was being sarcastic. I think "God Bless America" is a load of crap. If there were a God, do you really think he would bless us in preference to other nations? Give me a break. If there is a God, he or she thinks we are all a bunch of dicks.

This is a Christian thread. Athiest threads down the hall on the left.

[Wayne]

Alan wrote:

Guys, I was being sarcastic. I think "God Bless America" is a load of crap. If there were a God, do you really think he would bless us in preference to other nations? Give me a break. If there is a God, he or she thinks we are all a bunch of dicks.

Why do you think we are NOT a 3rd world country? You atheists are beyond idiots.

[Wayne]

Nephilim wrote:

<quoted text>This is a Christian thread. Athiest threads down the hall on the left.

Good luck with that. Atheists are drawn to Christians like a moth to a flame. Wonder why that is? Hmmmmmmmmmm?

[Alan]

Wayne wrote:

<quoted text>
Good luck with that. Atheists are drawn to Christians like a moth to a flame. Wonder why that is? Hmmmmmmmmmm?

Atheists in the USA are surrounded by pushy Christians who have tried to force their agenda on the entire nation for years: prayer in schools, the ten commandments in court rooms, bans on stem cell research, bans on gay marriage, etc....I for one have had enough. I will not sit back and let Christian fascism ruin our country. I will call things like this into question in the hope that some of you will stop and think about how ridiculous religion really is.

In this case, the offending statement is "God Bless America". Why would a deity give our nation special attention? Are we really that far ahead of the rest of the world morally? We invaded Iraq for oil and profit, we torture prisoners for information, the has CIA sponsored terrorism in our name, we use more natural resources per capita than any nation in the world....are these things that would earn us a deity's blessing? If so, what kind of evil deity are we talking about here? The Iraq war has killed over 100,000 Iraqi civilians. And you wonder why they call the USA "the great Satan". If God and the Devil were real, which one would be more likely to back the USA?

[Alan]

Wayne wrote:

<quoted text>
Why do you think we are NOT a 3rd world country? You atheists are beyond idiots.

Well, we may indeed become a 3rd world country, that is true. But believe it or not, we are still the richest, most powerful nation on Earth.

[Nephilim]

Alan wrote:

<quoted text>
Atheists in the USA are surrounded by pushy Christians who have tried to force their agenda on the entire nation for years: prayer in schools, the ten commandments in court rooms, bans on stem cell research, bans on gay marriage, etc....I for one have had enough. I will not sit back and let Christian fascism ruin our country. I will call things like this into question in the hope that some of you will stop and think about how ridiculous religion really is.
In this case, the offending statement is "God Bless America". Why would a deity give our nation special attention? Are we really that far ahead of the rest of the world morally? We invaded Iraq for oil and profit, we torture prisoners for information, the has CIA sponsored terrorism in our name, we use more natural resources per capita than any nation in the world....are these things that would earn us a deity's blessing? If so, what kind of evil deity are we talking about here? The Iraq war has killed over 100,000 Iraqi civilians. And you wonder why they call the USA "the great Satan". If God and the Devil were real, which one would be more likely to back the USA?

Since you feel this way I suggest you leave this country as soon as possible. America, love it or leave. And BTW God Bless America, does not mean we are priveleged. It is a request, that our Creator bless us. Keep us from harm and give us wisdom to do the right thing. As well as the patience to realize that some people will just never get it and that we also learn tolerance in dealing with bigots like you.

[Soldier of Jesus Christ]

Alan wrote:

Guys, I was being sarcastic. I think "God Bless America" is a load of crap. If there were a God, do you really think he would bless us in preference to other nations? Give me a break. If there is a God, he or she thinks we are all a bunch of dicks.

God doesn't bless people cause they are Americans. God blesses His people, which come from any nation.

Exodus 19:6
And ye shall be unto me a kingdom of priests, and an holy nation. These are the words which thou shalt speak unto the children of Israel.

But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light;
Which in time past were not a people, but are now the people of God: which had not obtained mercy, but now have obtained mercy.
1 Peter 2:9-10

For thou art an holy people unto the LORD thy God: the LORD thy God hath chosen thee to be a special people unto himself, above all people that are upon the face of the earth.
Deuteronomy 7:6

[Soldier of Jesus Christ]

Alan wrote:

<quoted text>
Atheists in the USA are surrounded by pushy Christians who have tried to force their agenda on the entire nation for years: prayer in schools, the ten commandments in court rooms, bans on stem cell research, bans on gay marriage, etc....I for one have had enough. I will not sit back and let Christian fascism ruin our country. I will call things like this into question in the hope that some of you will stop and think about how ridiculous religion really is.
In this case, the offending statement is "God Bless America". Why would a deity give our nation special attention? Are we really that far ahead of the rest of the world morally? We invaded Iraq for oil and profit, we torture prisoners for information, the has CIA sponsored terrorism in our name, we use more natural resources per capita than any nation in the world....are these things that would earn us a deity's blessing? If so, what kind of evil deity are we talking about here? The Iraq war has killed over 100,000 Iraqi civilians. And you wonder why they call the USA "the great Satan". If God and the Devil were real, which one would be more likely to back the USA?

For the record, God blesses whoever He chooses to bless, whether it’s Americans or other nations. I don’t think we are that much better than other nations, in some regards, but that’s not why God protects His people. You’re right; God doesn’t want us to have the attitude you’re saying some Americans have.

Speak not thou in thine heart, after that the LORD thy God hath cast them out from before thee, saying,

“For my righteousness the LORD hath brought me in to possess this land:”

but for the wickedness of these nations the LORD doth drive them out from before thee.

NOT for THY righteousness, or for the uprightness of THINE heart, dost thou go to possess their land: but for the WICKEDNESS of THESE nations the LORD thy God doth drive them out from before thee, and that he may perform the word which the LORD sware unto thy fathers, Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob.
UNDERSTAND therefore, that the LORD thy God giveth thee not this good land to possess it for THY righteousness; for thou art a STIFFNECKED people.
Deuteronomy 9:4-6

That’s us, extremely stiffnecked. God doesn’t protect His people because they’re so good; they are not AS bad as the other nations. His own people are disobedient and stubborn, but we want to follow Him.

In these cases, you’re right, we are as “morally wrong” as other nations. The nations, history and, most importantly, God will judge our nation for what we’ve done. Someday, people will be held accountable. If people don’t repent and turn from the evil they commit before God, He will hold them accountable. Don’t underestimate the Lord or overestimate the evil in this world.

Job 8:3
Doth God pervert judgment? or doth the Almighty pervert justice?

Isaiah 58:2
Yet they seek me daily, and delight to know my ways, as a nation that did righteousness, and forsook not the ordinance of their God: they ask of me the ordinances of justice; they take delight in approaching to God.

Genesis 18:19
For I know him, that he will command his children and his household after him, and they shall keep the way of the LORD, to do justice and judgment; that the LORD may bring upon Abraham that which he hath spoken of him.

Proverbs 21:3
To do justice and judgment is more acceptable to the LORD than sacrifice.

Isaiah 56:1
Thus saith the LORD, Keep ye judgment, and do justice: for my salvation is near to come, and my righteousness to be revealed.

Please, don’t judge God by the actions of His rebelling people. Seek out who God is and see how He will handle the wickedness of the world.

[bad_medic]

Nephilim wrote:

<quoted text> It is a request, that our Creator bless us. Keep us from harm and give us wisdom to do the right thing.

well, guess he aint blessed us yet.

yell louder.

[Alan]

Nephilim wrote:

<quoted text>Since you feel this way I suggest you leave this country as soon as possible. America, love it or leave. And BTW God Bless America, does not mean we are priveleged. It is a request, that our Creator bless us. Keep us from harm and give us wisdom to do the right thing. As well as the patience to realize that some people will just never get it and that we also learn tolerance in dealing with bigots like you.

I shouldn't have to leave America because of intolerant religious zealots.

[insite]

wow, alan sure stepped in some dog doo and tracked it right in the house, didn't he?

that's ok, I will hold my nose.

I believe in the 'sure mercies of David'; God blessing people who don't deserve it, because of others' faithfulness. How long that will last, I don't know. It's a good thing I am not God. If I were, it would be all over with!