The Blessing

“remember the former things of old; for I am God, and there is no other; I am God, and there is none like me,” (Isaiah 46:9, ESV)

The motto, “In God we trust” is currently on our United States currency. This motto appeared on most U.S. coins since 1864. Most people would be surprised to know that it did not appear on our paper currency until 1957 and that our nation adopted the phrase as the official motto of the United States in 1956. There is a significant principle presented in this motto. We trust in God and not in money.

The context of this verse is that of an exhortation to the nation regarding idolatry (v3). The point is that the idols of Babylon would not protect them. Why is this? The reason is simple. Idols are nothing. They are lifeless, dead things that can do nothing. Those who realize this, realize that there is one true “God, and there is no other,” and “there is none like” Him.

The blessing for Israel was that, unlike the idols of the foreign nations, the one true God watched over them. God never grew tired or weary. He watched over the nation 24/7. He worked providentially with His infinite power to fulfill His sovereign program. Israel had a blessed and personal connection to the God who is the omnipotent, omniscient, omnipresent, immutable, infinitely holy, infinitely good, infinitely merciful and infinitely just creator and sustainer of the entire universe. Only God could hear their prayers and answer them. Only God would move in their behalf to protect, empower and guide them.

With a personal connection with the one true God, why would the nation of Israel ever be tempted to seek or trust in the lifeless idols, which had no power to do anything? They would only cost money and occupy space. What a blessing it is to have a privileged relationship to this one true God.

So why is the motto of the United States so vital for us to understand? Why is this so paramount for our nation? The Scriptures tell us, “Blessed is the nation whose God is the Lord” (Psalm 33:12). Consider the things in which our citizens trust. Take money for instance. Money is lifeless. In our society, it is necessary, but it is lifeless. When you are broke, you want it, but when you allow it to be your god, it will leave you broken and empty. Consider the material things that we have. They are lifeless. When your car breaks down pray to it and see if it answers you. I

In the previous verse, verse 7, we find the warning for Israel regarding an idol, “it cannot move from its place. If one cries to it, it does not answer or save him from his trouble” (v7).

We, as a nation are facing some serious financial times. Our national debt bubble continues to expand and our solution is to continue to borrow or print money. We trust in the monetary management of the Federal Reserve, the fiscal policies of our government and a variety of other things. However, we do not trust God. What is the result of us trusting in such lifeless things? I will let you think about this. As a nation, we need to repent from our secularist notions and realize that the motto of the United States presents a precept of paramount importance. The motto must not be something to which we give mere lip service and look at as a nice cute saying. This motto must be at the heart of our nation and our nation’s leaders, for the Lord God is the only one capable of truly blessing a nation.