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Stand Beside Her
by Norman Bales
All About Families

When I was in first grade, we opened every school day with the singing of Irving Berlin's great patriotic song, "God Bless America." A little girl named Clorita Newsom occupied the desk next to mine. When we got to the part that said, "Stand beside her and guide her," I thought that meant I was supposed to stand beside Clorita and guide her. She didn't seem to mind my standing beside her but I don't think I was able to successfully guide her.

Eventually I got the real message of the song. It contributed to a deep sense of loyalty to my country that I still feel. I've always felt that God blessed our country, although I'm not implying that we have no faults. I'm not suggesting that God hasn't blessed other countries. According to the Bible, all legitimate civil governments are God's "servant to do you good" (Romans 13:4). The government doesn't have to be perfect to be God's servant. Paul was talking about Roman government in Romans 13.

The scriptures are very clear about respect for those who lead government. In 1 Timothy 2:1-2, Paul wrote "I urge, then, first of all, that requests, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for everyone - for kings and all those in authority, that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness."

Parents can have an enormous influence on the amount of respect their children show toward those who lead government. In America, we almost consider it a virtue to belittle our public officials. We make them the brunt of our jokes and fail to realize that we are undermining respect for the institution they lead when we do it.

Independence Day is a good time for families to get beyond fireworks and picnics and work on rebuilding respect for God's servants - those who lead our public institutions. "Show proper respect to everyone: Love the brotherhood of believers, fear God, honor the king."- 1 Peter 2:17