Fly the Flag

The flag is flying outside our house today.

I wish more Americans would display the flag. It stands for freedom, justice, and courage. Many courageous Americans have laid down their lives so the rest of us can live free. It seems to me that displaying the flag is such a simple act, but it signals such a profound message. Long may the Stars and Stripes wave, and long may our nation retain its motto, “One nation under God.”

A lifelong friend applied for U. S. citizenship Monday. The person who interviewed him asked only three questions: (1) “What are the three branches of our government?” (2) “Who becomes president if the president dies while in office?” and (3) “What color are the stars on the flag of the United States?” Apparently the test for citizenship has been simplified since I became a citizen in 1965.

The responsibilities of citizenship haven’t changed. We need to obey the laws of the land, vote regularly and intelligently, pay taxes, and defend our liberty. Christians have a further obligation. We must pray for our leaders (2 Tim. 2:1–3). Surely there has never been a more urgent need to do this. Many unfriendly nations and combative insurgents would like to destroy our nation and our values. But their weapons and misguided zeal are no match for even the weakest Christian who prays, “God, bless America!”