Daily Devotions
There is an organization in Massachusetts called the Brookline Political Action for Peace.
I’m not entirely sure why they tacked the words “for peace” onto their name since their agenda is probably going to bring about a lot of things, and peace isn’t likely to be one of them.
And what is the agenda of the Brookline Political Action for Peace (BPAFP)? It’s simply this: they want the city’s town meeting to urge the local school committee to stop requiring principals to have the Pledge of Allegiance recited during morning announcements.
According to the BPAFP, the pledge has
1. no educational value, and is
2. a loyalty oath reminiscent of McCarthyism or some horrific totalitarian regimes, and is
3. at odds with America’s most important traditions.
Wow! All those bad things in that short little Pledge of Allegiance.
The next thing you know, somebody is going to take a shot at hot dogs, apple pie and motherhood. After all, hot dogs have chemicals, and apple pie is fattening and motherhood is … well, I can’t think of anything negative to say about motherhood.
Understand, I’m not a believer in the idea of “my country, right or wrong, my country.” On the other hand, I believe — and the Lord suggests — that there are principles and higher callings to which a person can and probably ought to align himself.
Even Jesus, as He began His last hours of suffering for our redemption, committed Himself to a higher duty than His own personal preference when He prayed … “not My will, but Thy will be done” (Luke 22:42b).
Please understand, I’m not ignoring the words of James who said our “yes” or “no” ought to be sufficient. I am saying the Lord recognizes the prayerful promises of His faithful people, and so does our nation.
And if pledging faithfulness to a nation which is under God is a bad thing for our country’s children, I feel sorry for them and the nation, which is just my way of saying …
old Ben Franklin was right when he said, “We must all hang together, or assuredly we shall all hang separately.”
And that’s true for church, as well as country.
THE PRAYER: Dear Lord, in this life there are things which ought to command respect and loyalty, things to which a person should be aligned. May our children find — under Your guidance — that this nation is worthy of their allegiance. This I ask in the Savior’s Name. Amen.