Has America Lost What Made It Unique?

A Reflection on Providence, Grace, and the Lessons of Lamentations

The question of whether America has lost what made it unique is both profound and deeply unsettling. It invites a reflection on the roots of national greatness, the foundations of moral authority, and the delicate balance between human merit and divine grace. Much like the city of Jerusalem, whose story is vividly recounted in Lamentations 2:1-9, America’s distinctiveness is not rooted in its own accomplishments or earned virtues; rather, it is widely regarded as arising from a providential favor and grace bestowed upon the nation.¹

The Law Is No More: A Warning from Lamentations

In Lamentations 2:1-9, the poet paints a devastating picture of Jerusalem’s fall. God’s anger, like a consuming fire, has ravaged the city. Its splendor and protection have been cast down, and its people are left bereft. Notably, verse 9 declares, “Her gates have sunk into the ground; their bars he has broken and destroyed. Her king and her princes are exiled among the nations. The law is no more, and her prophets no longer find visions from the Lord.” This lament encapsulates the profound loss of divine favor and guidance, leaving Jerusalem vulnerable and emptied of its uniqueness.

The law’s absence symbolizes chaos and moral decay, a society adrift without the anchor of divine order. Jerusalem’s downfall serves as a cautionary tale for any nation that begins to stray from its foundational principles, taking the blessings of grace for granted.

America’s Uniqueness: Rooted in Divine Grace

America’s identity has often been tied to the ideals of liberty, justice, and opportunity. However, its true uniqueness lies not in these principles alone but in the belief that its destiny was shaped by divine providence. From the Puritan vision of a “city upon a hill” to the widespread invocation of God in historical documents and speeches, America has seen itself as a nation under God’s guidance.

This reliance on grace, however, carries immense responsibility. As with Jerusalem, divine favor can be lost when pride, arrogance, and the abandonment of foundational values take hold. The erosion of justice, the degradation of moral leadership, and the polarization of society may signal a departure from the divine covenant America once seemed to embody.¹

The Parallels Between Jerusalem and America

Like Jerusalem, America’s uniqueness cannot be sustained by its own merit. The fall of Jerusalem came not because of external forces alone but because it failed to uphold the covenant with God. Its leaders faltered, its prophets lost their vision, and its people turned away from the law.

America, too, risks losing what makes it unique if it neglects the blessings of grace and leans solely on its perceived strength or accomplishments. The ideals of democracy, freedom, and equality are hollow without the moral and spiritual framework that underpins them. The law—whether divine or ethical—must remain central to the nation’s integrity.

Rediscovering Humility and Grace

The path forward for America lies not in lamentation alone but in reflection and renewal. Lamentations remind us of the consequences of forgetting the source of greatness. Yet, they also open the door for repentance and restoration. America’s uniqueness can be reclaimed if its people and leaders seek to restore their commitment to justice, truth, and humility before God.

In this endeavor, the lessons of Jerusalem resonate deeply. A nation that abandons its moral compass risks losing its very soul. But a nation that humbly returns to the foundations of grace and law may once again shine as an example to the world—not by its own merit, but by the enduring blessings of providence.

Conclusion

Has America lost what made it unique? The warning signs are clear, and the parallels to Jerusalem’s fall are haunting. Yet, the story does not have to end in despair. Just as Lamentations calls for a recognition of loss and a turning back to grace, America has the opportunity to renew its covenant and rediscover its divine purpose. The law must not be “no more”; it must be restored as the guiding light of a nation uniquely shaped by providence.

Notes:

1. It’s important to note that there is no historical evidence that America had a special covenant with God. Author Rick Joyner noted in The Second American Revolution/Civil War, “Men made covenants with God for the nation, but that is not the biblical criterion a covenant God’s is obligated to keep, even if made by a national leader.” Joyner, R. (2021). The Second American Revolution/Civil War. Morning Star Publications.

Minister A Francine Green

September 2025