“In God have I put my trust: I will not be afraid what man can do unto me” (Psalm 56:11).

The familiar motto on our coins, “In God We Trust,” once was the motto of our nation. It is even included in the last verse of our national anthem which seeks to honor our national flag, the “Star-Spangled Banner.”

This anthem is sung so often at recreational occasions that it now almost seems trite to many. The venerable banner itself is often dishonored, even burned or trampled on by anti-patriots. Only the first verse of “The Star-Spangled Banner” is used these days, for reasons that become obvious when the last verse is read. Here is that last verse, for those who have never heard it.

O thus be it ever when free men shall stand Between their loved homes and the war’s desolations Blest with vict’ry and peace, may the heav’n-rescued land Praise the Pow’r 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.

The intellectual elite of our nation no longer believe that a divine Power made our nation or that He in heaven rescued our land here on earth. Most of our people give nominal agreement to the motto on our coins, though they pay little heed to God except in emergencies.

Nevertheless, we do have a godly heritage and there is still a significant minority whose trust in God is real and active. We still shed tears of thankfulness on Flag Day and whenever we see the stars and stripes waving over our sweet land of liberty. And we still trust in God and pray for our country, grateful for the privilege of being part of a people so signally blessed by God. HMM