Blessed is the nation whose God is the Lord.” (Psalm 33:12)

What does a nation look like that is blessed by God? The Bible lifts up two key features: a nation that is blessed will be godly and good.

Concerning godliness, the Scriptures are clear that it is only through trusting in God that we can find national well-being. “Some trust in chariots, and some in horses,” the Psalmist would say, “but we remember the name of the Lord our God.” (Psalm 20:7) Many of our nation’s founders lifted up this principle—that we could only construct a positive future by building on the foundation of faith in God. Benjamin Franklin put it well: “We have been assured in the sacred writings that “unless the Lord build [the house], they labor in vain that build it.” I firmly believe this; and I also believe that without God’s concurring aid we shall succeed in this political building no better than the Builders of Babel.” We are called as a nation to look above all to God.

Concerning goodness, the Scriptures declare that “righteousness exalts a nation.” (Proverbs 14:34). The most important feature of a nation, according to the Bible, is not its power or prestige or prosperity but its goodness. Such goodness will be the result of genuinely building the nation’s character upon faith in God.

And what exactly does a “good society” look like? According to the Bible, a good society will:

Care for the needy and the poor. [You shall open wide your hand to the needy and the poor in your land. Deuteronomy 15:11].
Welcome the stranger. [The foreigner residing among you must be treated as your native-born; love them as yourself, for you were foreigners in Egypt. Leviticus 19:34]
Defend and lift up the powerless [Learn to do good. Seek justice. Reprove the ruthless. Defend the orphan. Plead for the widow. Isaiah 1:17].
Be a place of justice and righteousness “Let justice roll down like waters, and righteousness like an ever flowing stream.” (Amos 5:24)

Throughout history, there have always been people who have appealed to God but have forgotten God’s call to goodness (the Islamic state being the latest most glaring example.) But the Scripture is plain: “Anyone who says, ‘I love God,’ and hates his neighbor is a liar.” (I John 4:20)

Anyone who says, 'I love God,' and hates his neighbor is a liar. (I John 4:20) Click To Tweet

We need both godliness and goodness. As George Washington put it, “Of all the dispositions and habits which lead to political prosperity, religion and morality [godliness and goodness] are indispensable.”

We have just celebrated our nation’s Independence Day. As we look into a future full of challenge and as we are bombarded by countless conflicting voices, it is good to keep in mind the clear word of the Scriptures. We are called to be a nation that is both godly and good, and it is on such a path that we will head into a positive future.

Sunday’s Scripture Readings:
Proverbs 14:34
Psalm 103:1–4, 6, 19, 22
Psalm 33:13–20

About the Author

Dr. David A. Palmer has been the senior pastor at the United Methodist Church of Kent since 1995. He has a B.A. from Wittenberg University, a Master of Divinity from Duke University, and a Doctor of Ministry from Princeton Theological Seminary. A native of Wooster, Ohio, he has served three other churches in east Ohio before coming to Kent. He and his wife, Mavis, have three children.