A nation with honor

One hears a lot of talk these days about national honor.Exactly what is the character of this honor that we love and seek to uphold? And what is the power we possess to secure and defend it?

"Honor" can be defined as honesty; integrity in one's beliefs and actions. Certainly as each one individually conforms to this standard of honor, both he and his nation will be strengthened and blessed. "Honor" is also fame, esteem, glory. Whose glory are we seeking? Our own?Our country's? The Bible affirms, "For thine [God's] is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever." n1 God reigns. All of us right now have the opportunity to express the humility that gives God the entire credit for the good in our lives.

n1 Matthew 6:13

As we look for solutions to disturbing world events, it is helpful to keep in mind what kind of power will bring the best results for all concerned. If we think of power as mere organized physical force -- such as that seen in a brilliantly planned and executed military maneuver -- we may need to ponder more deeply our concept of power. Or if we believe that power is personal clout, we are limiting our horizons by thinking that merely individual or governmental ability to influence and control people and events is ultimately effective.

Paul gives a clear definition of the nature of true power and how to use it: "For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war after the flesh: (for the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds)." n2 What could be more bold, more courageous, more forceful, than spiritual warfare based on the prayer to understand better the omnipotence of God? The Bible gives many rousing examples of the effectiveness of such prayer. As Mary Baker Eddy n3 writes: "The central fact of the Bible is the superiority of spiritual over physical power." n4

n2 II Corinthians 10: 3, 4

n3 Mrs. Eddy is the Discoverer and Founder of Christian Science

n4 Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures,m p. 131.

Our real defense is not in man-made plans or systems, however technically sound or humanly strong. It is not in vengeful and destructive action. It is in the understanding of God's omnipotence, in the expression of spiritual dominion God gives each of us as His sons and daughters, and in the application of our understanding of this power to our lives and to world conditions.

How do we do this? Through prayer. Does this seem a remote or passive thing to do? Prayer is active.m In fact, it is the swiftest, most far-reaching, most beneficial action possible. Prayer allows each of us to become an ambassador for justice and peace. Prayer invigorates our lives with the immediacy, potency , and practicality of divine Truth. Truth -- as we understand it and follow its leadings -- acts as law to the human scene. It brings intelligence and order where there would appear to be stupidity and chaos. Christianly scientific prayer lifts us to the altitude of thought where we are reassured that, in reality, there are no aggressors or victims, but only brothers and sisters in God's universe. This is not ignoring evil or hoping it will somehow transform itself into good. On the contrary, it is the only way to finally destroy evil. As we rightfully honor God and his true, spiritual man, we can confidently expect change for the better on the world scene. We can expect -- and do our part in bringing about -- solutions to challenging world problems. And we can preserve our individual and collective sense of honor. DAILY BIBLE VERSE In thine hand is power and might; and in thine hand it is to make great, and to give strength unto all. I Chronicles 29:12