MTC #183 - In God is Our Trust

Our program this morning was full of patriotic songs to pay tribute to this country we live in, and to those who gave their lives for the freedoms we enjoy. What's really interesting, is that despite being part of this wonderful program and singing six great songs (including two of my favorites "Hymn for America", and "America the Beautiful"), the one that moved me the most today was one that my temporary ward sang in Sacrament Meeting: "The Star Spangled Banner." While the words to the first verse are all-too familiar to everyone, the other three verses are worthy of being sung much more often than they are. I particularly love the last verse: 

O thus be it ever, when freemen shall stand

Between their loved homes and the war's desolation.

Blest with vict'ry and peace, may the Heav'n rescued land

Praise the Power that hath 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.'

And the star-spangled banner in triumph shall wave

O'er the land of the free and the home of the brave!

Out of nowhere, my emotions just got the best of me as I pondered these words. Interestingly enough, my wife had a similar experience when she sang this song today, too. We half joked that if more people in our country knew this particular verse of the song, plenty would be offended at the references to God, trusting in Him, and giving Him credit for the birth and preservation of our nation. Perhaps they might even launch a campaign to remove that verse from the song. Such is the world we live in. But I can tell you that there's a reason why this is our national anthem, and one of those reasons is so we can give credit where credit is due--even if that credit is found in a verse that is rarely sung. 

I'm grateful for a God who has, indeed, blessed this nation, has preserved it, and has protected it. As long as there are those in this country who stand up for a cause that is just, and rely upon a Father who is eager to bless, I have no doubt we'll continue to enjoy the freedoms we do, today.

Switching subjects completely, I just wanted to end today's post with the fact that applications for singing in the Mormon Tabernacle Choir are now being accepted. So for those of you who live within 100 miles of Salt Lake City, and feel you want to dedicate your love of singing to a very just cause, now's the time! I can't say it will be easy, and I can't say that you'll be accepted in. But the age-old adage "You never know unless you try" is worth considering. Don't you think?

Until next time God be with you.