In God We Trust

(Theme: Selections from Psalms—Faith Set to Music)

“In the Lord I put my trust; How can you say to my soul, ‘Flee as a bird to your mountain’? For look! The wicked bend their bow, They make ready their arrow on the string, That they may shoot secretly at the upright in heart. If the foundations are destroyed, What can the righteous do?” -Psalm 11:1-3 (NKJV. Read Psalm 11)

“In God we trust.” How many Americans see these words imprinted on our coins and currency and rejoice? That is, until recent years when a minority of citizens have agitated to get any mention of God removed from public monies, buildings, documents. And even now, some of the most recently minted coins and currency have been placed into circulation without the long-time American motto.

David in this Psalm of Confidence asked a probing question which is very appropriate for this Memorial Day: “If the foundations are destroyed, What can the righteous do?” (v. 3). Today we remember brave Americans who died so that our foundations, though shaken, might endure. In villages and hamlets, cities and seaports, aboard ships and on military bases, in homes and churches, people will gather to pray that our foundations of “in God we trust” can remain secure. I think God in His providence, as I’ve written on various themes in the psalms for many days now, just allowed Psalm 11 to sequentially fall on Memorial Day. What a good psalm for this special day. “The Lord tests the righteous, But the wicked and the one who loves violence His soul hates.” He promises to rain down judgment, with fire, brimstone and wind, upon the wicked. Because the Lord is righteous and loves righteousness, he will uphold the upright. Their trust in Him is their salvation.

Prayer: Lord of the nations, Lord of righteousness, look upon us with compassion and save a remnant as You have throughout history. Forgive our nation corporately for the sins of rebellion, unbelief, and pursuit of other gods. May we make an abrupt about-face and place our confidence and trust again in You. Forgive our sins. Heal our land. On this Memorial Day, may the blood of our martyrs cry out to us about the price of freedom and keeping the peace. Help us as individuals and a nation to find our way back to God. May we say with all confidence as did King David of old, “In the Lord I put my trust.” Amen.

c Ethelene Dyer Jones; Monday, May 31, 2010