Dear Christian friends:

In our text the Psalmist describes a truly happy nation. On this 200th Birthday of our nation I think we ought to ask ourselves this question:


The Psalmist here lists several things which show if a nation is happy or not? I think we ought to compare our nation with this list and see how happy we are. Also ask ourselves why are we happy or not happy?

What are the proofs of a happy nation? (verses 13 & 14) Healthy and beautiful people. Sons strong like a mature plant. Daughters graceful and beautiful like pillars of a palace wall.

Are the young people of America healthy and beautiful? According to the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA) 1.3 million Americans between the ages of 12-17 years old have a drinking problem. What about the dope problem? Smoking? Some are not healthy about 50%.

Are the adults of America healthy? Some are. Many are not! Eat too much. 35% of Americans are overweight! Drink too much. Smoke too much! Dope, use too many drugs.

We failed the first proof.

Second proof - Plenty of food, clothing and shelter? Barns full to the roof with various crops? Yes! Sheep in groups of 1,000 and 10,1000 out in our fields? Yes. Trucks (oxen) loaded down with produce? Yes.

We still have plenty of food, clothing and housing, better than any other nation in the world. God is still blessing our nation with plenty although we sin much and do not thank and serve Him.

May His great mercy and kindness lead us to fell ashamed and sorry about our national sins, and change our ways! We pass the 2nd proof only because God is kind and very merciful to us.

The third proof - No enemy attacking our cities, but peace everywhere? No crime in our streets? Since the Civil War, over 100 years ago, we have had no enemy attacking our cities. But we have had the Spanish American War 1900; the First World War, 1918; the Second World War, 1941-1945; the Korean War, 1950; and the Vietnam War, 1967-1972. For 100 years no enemy guns, cannon, or bombs have destroyed our cities. We pass that proof.

What about crime in our streets? For most of our 200 year history not much. But during the past twenty-five years more and more. Today America is worse than any nation. So we fail that one.

So, what do you think: Is America A Happy Nation? Is today a really happy birthday for America? If you judge by these tests in our text we must confess with tears and sadness, "No America Is Not A Happy Nation." We are having many happy celebrations today, but are we really happy in our hearts? We are crying on our birthday! Why is America crying on her birthday? Our text answers that question.

Is Jehovah her God? The Psalmist says, "A truly happy land is where Jehovah is God." (verses 12 & 15) Also Psalm 33:12 says "Happy is the nation whose God is the Lord."

"The Lord" means Jehovah and what does Jehovah mean? Jewish word meaning God of the Covenant. The God who made the promise to Abraham, Isaac and Jacob; the God of Israel. The God who promised to send His Son to suffer and die for the world's sins. It means the Triune God, Father, Son and Holy Spirit. It means Jesus Christ.

How many people in America really believe in Jesus Christ and serve Him? It's hard to say and prove. But many Americans never go to Church anymore. Many Americans who go to church are hypocrites. According to Dan P. Moynihan, former ambassador to the United Nations, "American crisis is not political, but moral (wrong doing) a crisis of a people who have given up their hope in God."

So we are not happy on our birthday, yes, we are crying on our birthday because many, many Americans no longer believe in Jesus Christ. They do not obey His Commandments, "Love God with all your heart and love your neighbor as yourself." They are not sorry for the wrongs and sins against their neighbor. So we have much hatred, protesting, violence, destruction and waste.

We who are gathered here today can stop crying and feeling sad. We can ask God to show mercy on us and on our nation forgiving our sins and failures of the past. He will show mercy on us and He does truly forgive our sins. He will make new our hearts by letting His Holy Spirit live in us and change us and strengthen us for doing His commandments and walking in His ways.

We can teach our children to love and serve Jesus Christ and walk in His Commandments. We can tell our neighbors, friends and relatives about Jesus Christ and His wonderful works. Then, with God's blessings many more people in our nation will believe in Jesus Christ and serve Him. If that happens, crime in our streets will vanish. Our young people will give up dope and trust in Jesus. Christ and we will do right to one another and to other nations. We won't waste food and natural resources, but share with the poor and needy nations, as Jesus Christ commands us.

America can again become a happy nation if more and more of our people will love and serve Jesus Christ. Then when America celebrates her 300th birthday our grand children and our great-grand children will have a happy birthday. "Lord make new Your church; make new our nation; and begin with me!" Amen.