Under God?Shembull

Pledging Our Allegiance “I pledge allegiance to the Flag of the United States of America, and to the Republic for which it stands, one Nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all.” Many people around the world might be surprised to learn that American Christians recite a pledge of allegiance to the American flag. Many American Christians might be surprised to learn our treasured phrase “under God” was actually not an original part of the pledge from 1887. The phrase wasn’t actually added until 1954. It’s easy to look back to that time and imagine it must have been the good old days of a country that really was once somehow “under God.” And it’s easy to look around today and feel like our position as a nation under God is slipping away. Yet we—the squarely under-God Church—don’t ever need to respond to changing times with fear, anger, or vengeance. Why? Because our leader doesn’t live in a White House, black house, penthouse, or rent house—He lives in God’s house. He lives in us. The Church. The Church owes allegiance to our Savior. As Jesus-followers, we don’t just go to church, we are the Church, and we exist for the world. We know power comes from private prayer, not public-opinion polls. Despite controversial headlines every evening, His mercies are new every morning. We—not a party, not a country, not a government—we the Church are one nation under God. Pray: Jesus, when You came, everyone thought You’d overturn governments, but instead, You changed hearts. Will You change mine? Show me places where fear and politics have vetoed the power of Your love working in and through me. My allegiance belongs to You. Amen.