America & Ancient Israel Pt 2: The Glory Years

It cannot be emphasized too strongly or too often that this great nation was founded not by religionists, but by Christians; not on religion, but on the gospel of Jesus Christ. For that reason alone, people of other faiths have been afforded freedom of worship here." – Patrick Henry
Then Moses went up to God, and the LORD called to him from the mountain and said, "This is what you are to say to the house of Jacob and what you are to tell the people of Israel: "You yourselves have seen what I did to Egypt, and how I carried you on eagles' wings and brought you to myself. Now if you obey me fully and keep my covenant, then out of all nations you will be my treasured possession. Although the whole earth is mine, you will be for me a kingdom of priests and a holy nation.' These are the words you are to speak to the Israelites." (Exodus 19:3-6)
God promised Abraham he would be the father of many nations. God promised Israel, through Moses, that the nation of Israel will be a treasured, holy nation. There was only one stipulation: They obey God fully and keep His covenant. Throughout the history of Israel, when they obeyed the commands of God, they flourished, not just in combat, but in glory. (Book of Joshua, Judges, parts of it). But, when they turned to other gods and idols, God punished Israel justly (Judges).
In combat, Israel defeated many superior nations, sometimes without combat. (Joshua 6, 2 Chronicles 20). In economics, Israel was a rich nation (1 Kings 10). Israel was truly blessed by God.
At the birth of the United States, they fought a superior nation. The super power nation of the time. They didn't have a strong army, they didn't have superior fire power, they didn't have superior leadership. All they had was God.
At its initial meeting in September 1774 Congress invited the Reverend Jacob Duche' (1738-1798), rector of the Christ Church, Philadelphia, to open its sessions with prayer. Duche' ministered to Congress in an unofficial capacity until he was elected the body's first chaplain on July 9, 1776. (http://www.loc.gov/exhibits/religion/rel04.html) The first meeting of the Continental Congress, the first thing they did was . . . pray.
Later, at the forming of the Constitution, it was a Benjamin Franklin request to begin with prayer, “I therefore beg leave to move-that henceforth prayers imploring the assistance of Heaven, and its blessings on our deliberations, be held in this Assembly every morning before we proceed to business, and that one or more of the Clergy of this City be requested to officiate in that Service .” (June 17, 1787 in a speech by Benjamin Franklin and the reports of other who have been recorded as having spoken. As recorded by James Madison)(http://members.tripod.com/~candst/franklin.htm) God was at the forefront of the Constitutional Convention, made by a person who has at best been described a deist, and at worse an atheist.
As with any birth, comes the trials. After 87 years, the United States found itself is a great war. A war with itself. At what historically is called an insignificant battle, came the most significant speech in American history. Again, God was found at the forefront. Abraham Lincoln gave a three minute speech that shaped the history of the United States for the better. He reaffirmed that this nation was founded on the principles of God. “It is rather for us to be here dedicated to the great task remaining before us -- that from these honored dead we take increased devotion to that cause for which they gave the last full measure of devotion -- that we here highly resolve that these dead shall not have died in vain -- that this nation, under God, shall have a new birth of freedom -- and that government of the people, by the people, for the people, shall not perish from the earth.” (Gettysburg Address) Because of Lincolns leadership and, more importantly, his well worn knees, God blessed the nation.
God blessed the United States to become a powerful nation. A nation that the world has taken notice of. A nation that many other nations have tried to emulate, only to fail, because they forget to put God first. In combat, the United States defeated superior nations. In economics, the United States is a rich nation. In technology, the United States has led the way through the industrial age. In world politics, the United States is hated. Why? “If the world hates you, keep in mind that it hated me first. If you belonged to the world, it would love you as its own. As it is, you do not belong to the world, but I have chosen you out of the world. That is why the world hates you. Remember the words I spoke to you: 'No servant is greater than his master.' If they persecuted me, they will persecute you also. If they obeyed my teaching, they will obey yours also. They will treat you this way because of my name, for they do not know the One who sent me.” (John 15:18-21) All of this, because the United States is a nation founded on the principles of God and the Bible. “It is impossible to rightly govern a nation without God and the Bible.” (George Washington)