In 1776, before our nation was even born, our founding fathers had to decide if this new nation, America, was even worth fighting for. Would the price they would pay be worth it? But thank God they were willing to pay that price, and today we are blessed to live in the greatest nation in the world. But the question is this - Are we willing to stand up and fight today to keep American great?
We all clearly see the erosion in a nation's high moral values, our sense of right and wrong, and our deep commitment to God. As a nation, so many of these are just going away, and we Americans are at a crossroad. In the Bible, in the Book of Jeremiah it says, "Stand at the crossroads and look for the ancient paths. Ask where the good way is and walk in it." It was President Lyndon Johnson who said, "If we fail now we shall have forgotten in abundance what we learned in hardship; that democracy rests on faith, that freedom asks more than it gives, and that the judgment of God is harshest on those who are most favored". So what must we do? We must realize that there is a price to pay today. That we must stand up for what we know to be good and right, and realize that if we don't stand up, no one else will.
In 1864, during one terrible battle in our Civil War, one Union Army flag bearer Leopold Karpeles, distinguished himself by an incredible act of bravery, an act so brave it won him the Medal of Honor. Eyewitnesses tell us that the Union Army was being slaughtered in that battle, and the soldiers began to run. Now, Sergeant Karpeles could have run too, but as the one who carried the flag, his job was to rally the soldiers. So while carrying no weapon, only that flag, he found the highest spot to stand, putting him clearly in the line of fire, and he began waving that flag and shouting, "For God's sake boys, don't forget your colors". And the retreating soldiers, seeing him standing there in the direct line of fire, waving that flag, they all stopped and turned from their retreat and they fought. Flag bearer, Leopold Karpeles, knew his job and stood up. Regardless of the danger, he stood up.
We all know the song, "The Battle Hymn of the Republic", but there's one verse you may not have heard. It says,
He has sounded forth the trumpet that shall never call retreat;
He is sifting out the hearts of men before His judgment seat.
O be swift my soul to answer Him, be jubilant my feet,
Our God is marching on".
Dear God, we thank you for our great nation. Give us the strength to stand up.
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