Being Patriotic

Spirit & Life Devotional
Friday, February 13
Chinaemerem Joshua Ibezim

Being Patriotic

II Samuel 15:24-25, 27, 29 NKJV "There was Zadok also, and all the Levites with him, bearing the ark of the covenant of God... Then the king said to Zadok, “Carry the ark of God back into the city. If I find favor in the eyes of the Lord, He will bring me back and show me both it and His dwelling place. The king also said to Zadok the priest, “Are you not a seer? Return to the city in peace, and your two sons with you, Ahimaaz your son, and Jonathan the son of Abiathar. Therefore Zadok and Abiathar carried the ark of God back to Jerusalem. And they remained there."

If there was a man who knew the importance of the presence of God, it was David. He knew the importance of having the Ark with him, and he ensured that the Ark was brought to Jerusalem even though someone lost his life in the process. Now, we see that when he was running from his son, Absalom, Zadok joined him, with the Ark and his sons, but David wouldn't let him take the Ark away from the city. Here we see David's love for his people and his country; he put them first before himself.

"Respect for the country's flag, a desire to see your nation succeed, and a deep, abiding love of your country are all patriotic expressions, but being patriotic doesn’t mean you think your country’s perfect — just that you love it."

Psalms 137:5-6 says, "If I forget you, O Jerusalem, Let my right hand forget its  skill! If I do not remember you, Let my tongue cling to the roof of my mouth— If I do not exalt Jerusalem Above my chief joy." Christians must be patriotic! Yes, we are strangers and pilgrims here on earth, but if God in His wisdom made you to be born in a particular location, then it means He has a reason for that. Never regret being born in a particular family or a state or country; you are there now for a specific purpose. You are God's agent of change wherever you are, so if there's anything that should change, change it!

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