The Star-Spangled Banner has been sung throughout generations in America, holding the power and ability to bring stadiums to a halt in reverence of our flag and in just a few minutes, well up our hearts with pride as we sing about the nation’s miraculous victory. Yet, despite it being tradition and constantly performed, there is very little talk about the inner heart behind this song. In the War of 1812, attorney Francis Scott Key penned the poem that would become our national anthem. The closing stanza of that work affirmed what Americans strongly believed: Blessed with victory and peace, may the Heaven-rescued land Praise the Power that has made and preserved us a nation. Then conquer we must, when our cause it is just, And this be our motto: "In God is our trust."
The phrase “In God is our trust,” became a national truth during the Civil War but more than that, the nation’s declaration. According to David Burton, a political activist who was a strong evangelical Christian, "In 1861, Rev. M. R. Watkinson of Pennsylvania wrote to the Secretary of Treasury, imploring him to add an official recognition of God to American currency… Rev. Watkinson desired to bring America under Divine protection. The Secretary of Treasury agreed, thus enshrining what earlier generations had long acknowledged: America is one nation under God.” American currency broadcasts that message each and every day to nearly every country on the planet. Our country, with its faults and errors, trusts in the Lord. As we analyze our country today, we can be thankful that our currency still declares this, but it is time for we the people to echo this. America is special in that in our most trying of times, we recognize our need to trust in God. This, dear reader, is what keeps us from victimization. Knowing that God will bring breakthrough, keep us moving forward, fighting for our city and each other. As that star-spangled banner yet waves, let us stand under its shade, together as one.
Sincerely,
Adriana Salcedo
Beauty for Ashes International
Comments