Reflections on Promises, History, and Our National Direction
Have you ever heard someone say, “America made a covenant with God”? It’s an idea that’s popped up in conversations and history books for generations, especially when people talk about the nation’s founding. But what does that actually mean? And does it line up with how covenants work in the Bible?
Let’s break this down in plain English.
Who Actually Makes a Covenant?
In the Bible, a covenant is like a binding agreement between God and people. But one thing stands out: it’s always God who starts the covenant and sets the terms. He tells Noah about the rainbow, Abraham about the stars, and later, Jesus speaks about the “new covenant” written in his blood. The pattern is clear—God initiates, we respond.
So when we say “America made a covenant with God,” it raises a question: Can a group of people just decide to make a covenant with God on their own terms? Or does God have to start that conversation?
Early Declarations
It’s true that some early settlers, like those behind the Virginia Compact or the Pilgrims on the Mayflower, made declarations. They said things like, “We’ve come for the glory of God and to advance the Christian faith.” Their intentions were sincere, and they saw their mission as tied to God’s purposes.
But even in the Bible, making a vow to God is a big deal (see Deuteronomy 23:21 and Ecclesiastes 5:4). If you make a promise to God, you’re expected to keep it—or else! It’s not something to take lightly.
Have We Kept Our Promises?
This leads to another tough question: If America did make a vow or covenant, have we actually kept it? Can a nation be a “Christian nation” if it doesn’t live up to the ideas it was founded on? Our history is complicated—there’s the painful legacy of slavery, the treatment of Native Americans, and times when our actions didn’t match our words about equality and justice.
We honor the idea that all people are created equal and have basic rights—life, liberty, freedom of speech and religion. But have we always practiced what we preached? Honestly, no. Even Abraham Lincoln, before his famous “House Divided” speech, wrestled with these contradictions. He knew that when a nation is divided—politically, morally, or spiritually—it’s in danger of falling apart (see Matthew 12:25).
Division and Political Parties
Look at our country now. We’re split along political lines, and sometimes it feels like the parties care more about winning than about what’s right. George Washington warned us about this in his farewell address. He saw political parties as engines that could eventually be used to grab power and lead to division and even tyranny.
Washington wasn’t just worried about party bickering—he was looking out for the soul of the nation. He believed that if we forget the principles of unity, justice, and respect for the Constitution, we set ourselves up for trouble.
What About God’s View?
If we look at Scripture, God is clear: He’s the one who sets the terms for a covenant. People often fail to keep their end of the deal. That’s why, in the New Testament, Jesus comes to offer a new covenant—one that’s for “whosoever will believe.” It’s based on grace, not just promises we make and break.
So, can America truly say we’ve kept any kind of covenant with God? It’s a hard question. Maybe only God knows the answer.
Moving Forward
Maybe, instead of focusing on big, national promises, we should ask ourselves: Are we personally living up to the values we claim to hold—justice, kindness, humility, and love for our neighbor? Are we willing to do what’s right, even when it’s unpopular, like Lincoln did?
The truth is, every nation, including America, has fallen short at times. But the door is always open for us, as individuals and as a people, to return to what’s right. To seek justice, love mercy, and walk humbly with our God (Micah 6:8).
In the end, history shows us that kingdoms rise and fall. Promises get made and broken. But God’s covenant, the one He initiates, is the one that lasts—and that’s where we find real hope.
Minister A Francine Green
August 2025
afrancinegreen.com 