Our National Anthem

Our National Anthem

As we celebrate our nation’s history, remember…

God’s blessing is on America because

Godly men and women lived lives of influence!

 

 Christian influence is what made

the difference in this nation.

Francis Scott Key, a lawyer and amateur poet,

at age 35 witnessed the bombardment

of Fort McHenry by the British Royal Navy ships

in the Chesapeake Bay, in the war of 1812.

(Our second war of independence)

Francis was captured while on a good will mission

and taken on the British admiral’s flag ship.

On September 13, 1814, Francis watched

the bombardment on the fort.

As night approached,

he could see the American flag.

The bombing on the fort continued all night

and in the dawn of September 14^th ,

Francis Key saw the flag over the fort

still bade defiance to the fleet.

On the ship, filled with emotion,

he wrote a poem called,

“The Star Spangled Banner”

He was later released

and took the poem to a printer;

as it went out,

Americans began to sing it

to the tune of ,“Anacreon in Heaven”.

Congress on March 3, 1931,

made a resolution that

The Star-Spangled Banner

would be our national anthem,

and was signed by

President Herbert Hoover.

In the last stanza of

“The Star-Spangled Banner”

are these words of Francis Key…

“Then conquer we must, when our cause it is just,
And this be our motto: "In God is our trust."

It is believed that Francis Scott Key’s poem,

 “The Star-Spangled Banner”

was the influence and inspiration

for the United States’ motto,

“In God we Trust”

In 1956, 142 years after penning these words,

 “And this be our motto: "In God is our trust"

an Act of Congress made it the official motto.

A young man’s belief in God

and a poem greatly influenced this nation.

Don’t underestimate your power to influence.

America still needs Christian influence.

Who knows how God might use

your simple influence in 100 years.

 

Scripture Reading

Matthew 5:14-16 NIV

"You are the light of the world.

A city on a hill cannot be hidden.

15 Neither do people light a lamp

and put it under a bowl.

Instead they put it on its stand,

and it gives light to everyone in the house.

16 In the same way,

let your light shine before men,

that they may see your good deeds

and praise your Father in heaven.