The Star Spangled Banner

For Independence Day 2023

The Star Spangled Banner

O! say can you see by the dawn's early light,
 ⁠What so proudly we hailed at the twilight's last gleaming,
 Whose broad stripes and bright stars through the perilous fight,
 ⁠O'er the ramparts we watch'd, were so gallantly streaming?
 And the Rockets' red glare, the Bombs bursting in air,
 Gave proof through the night that our Flag was still there;
 ⁠O! say does that star-spangled Banner yet wave,
 ⁠O'er the Land of the free and the home of the brave?

The Star Spangled Banner song is about the bombardment of Fort McHenry by British ships of the Royal Navy in Outer Baltimore Harbor in the Patapsco River during the Battle of Baltimore in the War of 1812.

It was written by Francis Scott Key (a 35 year old lawyer and amateur poet) who must have been there at that battle.  He was inspired by the large U.S. flag, known as the Star-Spangled Banner, flying triumphantly above the fort during the U.S. Victory - which was against all odds.

Word & Vision for Today

Isaiah 1:23-31 (NASB) 

23.  Your rulers are rebels and companions of thieves; everyone loves a bribe and chases after rewards. They do not defend the orphan, nor does the widow’s plea come before them.

24  Therefore the Lord GOD of hosts, The Mighty One of Israel, declares,

“Ah, I will be relieved of My adversaries and avenge Myself on My foes.

25  “I will also turn My hand against you, and will smelt away your dross as with lye and will remove all your alloy.

26  “Then I will restore your judges as at the first, and your counselors as at the beginning; after that you will be called the city of righteousness, a faithful city.”

27  Zion will be redeemed with justice and her repentant ones with righteousness.

28  But transgressors and sinners will be crushed together, and those who forsake the LORD will come to an end.

29  Surely you will be ashamed of the oaks which you have desired, and you will be embarrassed at the gardens which you have chosen.

30  For you will be like an oak whose leaf fades away or as a garden that has no water.

31  The strong man will become tinder, His work also a spark. Thus they shall both burn together and there will be none to quench them.

This is the Word of the Lord for our times as well.  

Encouragenment:
God has not abandoned America, He loves America.  Don’t let others tell you or convince you otherwise. Please get in agreement with God, knowing He will save this nation and other nations too - and say this: 

 O give thanks unto the LORD; for he is good: because his mercy endures for ever.    Psalms 118:1 (KJV) 

Also

13 I had fainted, unless I had believed to see the goodness of the LORD in the land of the living.

14 Wait on the LORD: be of good courage, and he shall strengthen thine heart: wait, I say, on the LORD.

Psalms 27:13-14 (KJV)